Lotus E23 Hybrid - unique air intake configuration

It's certainly distinctive, but what benefits will Lotus's new air intake configuration bring? We investigate...

One of the stand-out features on Lotus's new E23 Hybrid is the airbox design, which is quite revolutionary. As has been the trend in recent years, it features multiple cooling inlets - but unlike other teams who have tended to place these either above or beside the main engine air intake (see insets), Lotus have situated theirs much lower down the roll hoop structure. Positioning them in this way should be much more efficient, resulting in both a reduction in drag and a smoother passage of airflow to the rear wing.