As F1’s topsy-turvy 2012 season continues, it may be the driver with the simplest and least-developed car that prevails.
That is the claim of the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.
"Who brought the fewest technical updates to the Spanish grand prix? Lotus and Williams. And who had the fastest cars? Lotus and Williams," the report claimed.
Bizarrely for the world of formula one, racing ahead with normal car development might now be a case of taking backwards steps, as teams endeavour to solve the mysteries of the new Pirelli tyre.
"We are getting less new parts than last year, instead investing more time to understanding our car," confirmed Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
The German newspaper Bild am Sonntag agreed: "(Sebastian) Vettel’s bosses have decided there will be no new parts until the old ones are understood."
In contrast, Auto Motor und Sport said the Lotus and the Williams are both "unremarkable" cars, but "all-rounders".
"They are easy to drive and easy to set up," the report added.