After completing just seven laps on the first day of the four-day test this week, the team decided to conclude the day’s programme, with the chassis used in Jerez being flown out from their factory in Enstone to be used tomorrow.

Lotus chiefs have refused to be drawn on the exact nature of the issue, albeit it is naturally serious enough to end the day prematurely.

Frenchman Grosjean, who finished the first test quickest of the 2012 cars, said: “We completed a few aero runs and then started timed runs.

“But I was very quickly aware the car wasn’t responding as it should.

“It’s not ideal to lose track time, but fortunately we will have the chassis which ran perfectly in Jerez so I should get some good track time tomorrow.

“It’s far better we have an issue like this now rather than in Melbourne (for the opening grand prix on March 16-18).”

Team principal Eric Boullier described the incident as “a minor setback to our overall test programme”.

Boullier does not believe it will impact too heavily on the rest of the week, adding: “Fortunately we accumulated good mileage in Jerez.

“If this is the only issue we have during testing then we will still be well prepared for the start of the season.

“We’ll be back on track tomorrow with the old chassis and assessing the new one back at Enstone.”