Lotus's Eric Boullier says fans will have to wait until next season for elusive first win

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has warned fans they will have to wait until next year before the marque grabs its elusive first win.

Boullier has resigned himself to the fact with three races remaining he will not be seeing either Kimi Raikkonen or Romain Grosjean on the top step of the podium this season.

In a year which began with seven different winners in the first seven grands prix, and from five different teams, the burning question over the summer was when will Lotus add their name to the list.

There have been four runner-up finishes - three for Raikkonen and one for Grosjean - but an all-important win has eluded them which, in particular, has hampered the former's tilt for the title.

After finishing seventh in yesterday's Indian Grand Prix behind a dominant Sebastian Vettel, who has now won four in a row, the Finn lies third in the standings, 67 points adrift with 75 available.

As far as Boullier is concerned, while Lotus will do all they can to help Raikkonen secure third place behind Vettel and Fernando Alonso, they can forget about taking the chequered flag in either Abu Dhabi on Sunday or in the United States and Brazil next month.

Asked whether a win was possible this year, Boullier said: "No, next year.

"Realistically, I would be kidding people if I said we would win a race this year.

"If we're in a position to fight until the end, to threaten the third position (in the drivers' championship), I'll be happy with that, to be honest.

"Yes, it's frustrating at not getting this missing, or elusive win, but we had a good start to the season, with a new package and two new drivers.

"If we make a good start next year it will be a different story."

Boullier has confirmed an announcement can be expected soon with regard to next season's driver line-up, although it is certain to be Raikkonen and Grosjean for a second year in tandem.