Lotus can build upon its excellent recent form and become an even stronger outfit across the final nine grands prix of 2012.

That is the view of trackside operations director Alan Permane, who is optimistic the team's 'desperate' desire to win can be achieved in the season run-in.

Lotus scored more points than any other constructor over the last five races before F1's summer break, when it had a presence on every podium except Silverstone.

Permane is confident the team can exceed such standards in the second half of the year, particularly as it has now adapted to having two new drivers for the start of this year's campaign.

"We will be much stronger in the second half. The car is great, we have started with that, and we have shown we can develop as well if not better than others," Permane said.

"We have spent time getting to know our drivers, and Romain has [had some] crashes on the first lap. Without that things would be very different. There's no reason why we can't have a good second half.


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