© Sutton Images Enlarge

Eric Boullier believes the experience Lotus had with Romain Grosjean in 2012 will help it bring the best out of Pastor Maldonado.

Grosjean endured a tough season in 2012 as a number of first-lap incidents and errors drew criticism, with one crash he triggered in Belgium seeing him banned from the Italian Grand Prix. However, Lotus stood by him for another year and Grosjean repaid that faith with a much-improved 2013, finishing the year in impressive form with four podiums from the last six races.

Having signed Maldonado as Grosjean's team-mate for next season, Boullier says the team knows how to get the best out of its new driver.

"He's a friendly guy, he's a fast guy," Boullier told Sky Sports. "He won a race in Formula One and it was on merit - it was not gained from some lottery. I think we just need to make sure he can keep his focus - actually similar issues we had with Romain last year - keep his focus on track.

"I'm sure that with the proper support and team around him, we can do something nice with Pastor. Maybe there is still some fine-tuning to do with him. And I think one the most important parts, having talked to him already, is obviously feeling the support of the team behind him."

With Maldonado's signing hinting that promised investment from Quantum Motorsports is unlikely to happen, Boullier dismissed concerns about the future of the deal.

"We are still confident something is going to happen. But timing is an issue. Obviously there is a financial support with Pastor, which in these days we may need. And unfortunately, as I said before, timing is an issue.

"Even if Genii is deeply involved in funding the team, there are some solutions that need to be done. And it's true that Quantum Motorsports is the best one we can have but timing is everything, especially in Formula One. We have to deliver a car in less than eight weeks now."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.