| Information | |
|---|---|
| Team | Lotus F1 Team |
| Nationality | French |
| Date of Birth | 17 Apr 1986 |
| F1 Debut | Europe 2009 (Valencia) with Renault |
| F1 Team | Renault • Lotus |
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
If there was one driver who could claim to be the ‘most improved’ of the 2013 season it would undoubtedly be Romain Grosjean. A string of fast, yet maturely driven races took full advantage of the Lotus car’s ability to minimise tyre wear and gave him six podium finishes including a fine second place in the United States Grand Prix.
Grosjean’s natural pace was never in doubt. His career path to Formula One came via titles in Formula Renault, in the Formula 3 Euroseries, and in GP2, where he was champion in both the European and Asian series. Grosjean made his Formula OneTM debut in the 2009 European Grand Prix, and did seven races that season without scoring a World Championship point.
His first full season with the Lotus team in 2012, however could have easily been his last. A series of misjudgements and accidents, including his triggering of a multi-car pile-up at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, led to the FIA imposing a one-race ban.
It is a sign of Grosjean’s character that last year he emerged from those dark days and made his mark on the sport in the right way. He has always one of the most likeable characters in the paddock, easy-going, charming and with a great, self-depreciating sense of humour. Now his new-found maturity will be put to the test as Lotus team leader with an tough, aggressive team-mate in Pastor Maldonado.