Wednesday 11 January at 06:35 : Jan.11 (GMM) Lotus could set the trend with the first major innovation of the 2012 season.

Finland's Turun Sanomat reports that Giorgio Piolo - arguably F1's most respected technical illustrator - has revealed that Lotus' new car features a radical braking system.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the system is similar to the mass damper innovation pioneered by the Enstone based team (then Renault) some years ago.

The innovation was reportedly discovered during the young drivers' test in Abu Dhabi.

Turun Sanomat explained that the driver-operated system involves adjustments to improve aerodynamic performance through the ride-height.

Lotus' drivers in 2011 are Kimi Raikkonen, the returning 2007 world champion, and reigning GP2 champion Romain Grosjean.