The Enstone-based outfit proved that its impressive long-run consistency in testing was real when Raikkonen pulled off a two-stop strategy in Melbourne to beat Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel to victory.
Team principal Eric Boullier has revealed that Lotus is planning to bring new updates to this weekend's race at Sepang, where he expects the hotter temperatures experienced to suit the E21 even more.
"We have some developments coming which is good news, and the hot temperature should normally help us do an even better job," Boullier said.
Despite his optimism, Boullier does admit that chief rival Red Bull - which under-performed in the race compared to its qualifying form – will be in much better shape too.
"We didn't have a normal weekend [in Australia]," he said. "It was a strange weekend where everyone couldn't put the right set-up on the car, especially for the race.
"So let's see next weekend when we have a normal weekend.
"I am sure it is going to be a little bit tougher."
