Romain Grosjean

In Singapore

Grosjean in Singapore:

2009 Renault: qualified 19th, retired, brake failure
2010 did not race
2011 did not race
2012 Lotus: qualified 8th, finished 7th
2013 Lotus: qualified 3rd, retired, engine failure
2014 Lotus: qualified 16th, finished 13th
2015 Lotus: qualified 10th, finished 13th

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A new American dream

Romain Grosjean’s career path to Formula One came via titles in Formula Renault, Formula 3 Euroseries, and in GP2, where he was champion in both the European and Asian series. The Frenchman made his Formula One debut in the 2009 European Grand Prix, and he completed seven races that season without scoring a World Championship point.

It wasn’t until 2012 that he got his chance of a first full season in F1, with Lotus signing him up. It proved to be a difficult year as a series of misjudgements and accidents, including triggering a multi-car pile-up at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, lead to the FIA imposing a one-race ban.

But it is a sign of Grosjean’s character that the following year, he emerged from those dark days and made his mark on the sport in the right way, scoring six podiums, which included an impressive second in Austin.

He has always been one of the most likeable characters in the paddock, easy-going, charming and with a great, self-depreciating sense of humour. His new-found maturity was put to the test as Lotus team leader with an tough, aggressive team-mate in Pastor Maldonado in 2014, but Grosjean stepped up to the plate.

Lotus endured a tough year in 2015 as it battled severe financial trouble, but Grosjean provided the team with a memorable and emotional podium at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The 2016 season marks another new start for the Frenchman as he moves to the newly formed Haas F1 American Formula One team. Although starting again with a rookie team is often fraught with danger, Haas approaches 2016 with a significant budget and many components from Ferrari. Time will tell if Grosjean’s gamble has paid off.