Feb.17 (GMM) Deep into the afternoon on its first ever proper test day, Lotus had impressed the formula one world.

While fellow new team and arch rival Virgin struggled to get up and running at the same Spanish venue last week, Lotus' T127 quickly compiled more than 60 laps and counting in the hands of Fairuz Fauzy as the second Jerez test began on Wednesday.

"Without power steering Fauzy has done an awesome job," team boss Tony Fernandes, commenting on the Malaysian test driver's work in the often stormy conditions, said.

Fernandes noted that Fauzy's best time was "two seconds behind Williams and three (seconds) ahead of Virgin".

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