Lotus becomes first team to unveil 2013 F1 challenger - aims for the top

Lotus, powered by Renault engines, have launched their single seat racer - the E21 - for this year's Formula One season at its factory in Enstone, U.K. Looking significantly similar to last year's car, the infamous stepped nose is still present together with the Coanda-effect exhausts which the team introduced towards the end of the 2012 season.

According to Technical Director James Allison, the car might look similar yet he assures that a number of features beneath the bodywork are different from last year's challenger.

He added, "The rules in 2013 are very, very similar to those in 2012 so you can expect a lot of family resemblance from 2012. But as always in Formula One the devil is in the detail and it adds up to a significant amount of performance. There are lots of new ideas and some concepts which we've been pushing on with for a few years."

The FIA allows teams to conceal the stepped noses with a 'modesty plate', that does not alter the aerodynamic profile of the car. Yet this was not seen on the new Lotus due to weight issues.

"We have not done it yet because the cosmetic panel would weigh a few grams and with a Formula One car putting on a few grams that you don't need to is really anathema to us. However, if we find a cosmetic panel that looks nice but much more importantly and crucially develops a bit of downforce for us, we'll pop it on as quick as you like," explained Allison.

At the end of the 2012 season, Lotus finished fourth in the constructors' championship with star driver Kimi Raikkonen finishing third overall in the driver's championships. Lotus Team Principal Eric Boullier aims to do better than last year by finishing a spot higher for the constructors' championships this season.