Lotus target the title

Lotus may not have won a race this season, but they believe they are firmly on course to spring an upset towards the end of this seasons Formula One World Championship.

Kimi Raikkonen could only manage fifth place around Monza, despite both Red Bull drivers and Jenson Button retiring from the race.

But despite their lack of race pace, the result still moved the 2007 Formula One World Champion up to third in the drivers standings.

'We knew we would struggle a little bit at Monza and that is exactly what happened, But the championship is doable of course, especially with the coming races that will suit us much more.' Lotus team principal Eric Boullier told Autosport Magazine.

Raikkonen is now just one point behind second placed Lewis Hamilton in the title picture and 38 points behind championship front runner, Fernando Alonso.

For anyone to overturn that deficit, they are going to have to show consistent form over the final few races of the season.

Lotus have shown consistency throughout the 2012 campaign, but have lacked that little bit extra to cross the finish line first, but with new upgrade packages expected, including their much talked about double-DRS device, Lotus remain confident that they can really challenge towards the back end of the season.

'We have some updates coming for Singapore already, and we believe that the downforce level and layout should suit us a little bit because at Budapest and Monaco we were fast,' Boullier said.

'Japan should suit us as well, especially if we can bring our [double-DRS] device. I think it is going to be an interesting end to the season.'

After his one race suspension in Italy, Romain Grosjean will return in Singapore to help Lotus also compete in the constructors championship.

Lotus are currently placed fourth, just 9 points behind third placed Ferrari, 26 behind McLaren and 55 behind Red Bull Racing.