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Grosjean admits that emotional control could earn him a top drive

Published on 14 Aug 2017 10:26
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By: Chris Soulsby

Romain Grosjean has revealed that he believes that he has to control his emotions more behind the wheel if he wants to secure a place at a top team in the future. Grosjean joined Haas in 2016 following Renault's takeover of the Lotus F1 team in 2015.

Since joining Haas, Grosjean's radio messages have become a consistent feature during broadcasts of sessions during a grand prix weekend, with the typical message consisting of the driver complaining about the team's long-running brake issues that have plagued them since first joining F1.

2017 marks Grosjean's sixth season in Formula 1, and still the Frenchman remains winless, coming closest to this achievement when driving for Lotus from 2012-13 where he secured nine podium finishes. Since the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix, Grosjean has failed to finish on the podium.

When asked what it is that he has to do to earn a top drive in Formula 1, Grosjean said that his emotions were a key aspect. "There are always things you can improve," Grosjean told Autosport. "Finding your way when you are frustrated to deal with things differently and dealing better with the brakes not working and stuff like that - I need to more on that.

"Generally my level of driving, fitness, feedback is pretty much ready to be world champion in a good car." Grosjean then defended his outbursts of radio, stating that they are just evidence of his passion and determination.

"I get frustrated because I want to win. Then if I get frustrated I talk on the radio. So where to escape the frustration?" he said. "The other way of seeing it is to say 'OK I'm not going to win the race, I'm just going to get my money, drive and go home'. If I get to that stage, when I'm 31 and I want to be world champion, then my career's kind of over.

"As long as you keep that flame and that winning spirit and you're not happy because you've qualified 14th but you've beat your team-mate... that'll never make me happy. For some people it does, great for them, but it'll never be for me. I need to get my radio messages down but I get frustrated because I want to win," he admitted.

When Grosjean moved away from Lotus which was set to become Renault in 2016, it was seen as an attempt for the Frenchman to bag a seat at Ferrari in the future. Although Sauber looks set to become junior team for the Scuderia in 2018, Grosjean remains upbeat about securing a future drive with the team.

In 2017, Grosjean lies in 13th place in the Drivers' Championship with 18 points to his name, seven points ahead of his team mate Kevin Magnussen. Tied on points with Lance Stroll, Felipe Massa who is five points ahead will be his next target in the championship. Grosjean recently extended his contract with Haas, meaning that he will drive for the American outfit in 2018.

Chris Soulsby

mbmwe36

Posts: 533

I'm thinking that ship has sailed regardless. The only way he could find himself at a top team would be if Renault managed to get back on top, otherwise I don't see it.

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Aug 14 2017 - 11:08

F1 News Romain Grosjean Haas

Replies (7)

mbmwe36

Posts: 533
I'm thinking that ship has sailed regardless. The only way he could find himself at a top team would be if Renault managed to get back on top, otherwise I don't see it.
- + 1
- Aug 14 2017 - 11:08
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, as I tend to say, that ship has crossed the seven seas and has returned to port, filled with oriental spices.
  + 0
  
  Aug 14 2017 - 12:05
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  You never know. I don't think anybody ever expected to see Kimi back at Ferrari. Time will tell...
  + 0
  
  Aug 15 2017 - 20:49
f1ski

Posts: 726
There are drivers who can drive anything. Not Grosjean. He needs a car that is perfect for him.
- + 1
- Aug 14 2017 - 11:22
jayareee

Posts: 1
He is just a mid pack driver, with little ability to beat the top 4-5 drivers. His comment about blowing away Raikkonen shows how poor his judgement is.
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- Aug 14 2017 - 17:26
Orchide

Posts: 82
Not gonna happen. As he could all of a sudden start to control his temper.
He claims that his radio outbursts is evidence of his passion and determination, it's actually called arrogance.
- + 1
- Aug 14 2017 - 19:24
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
You can compare Romain to Fernando Alonso with regards to radio messages. Fernando comes across as angry, fiercely passionate, and often sending a coded message to someone. HOWEVER, nobody has ever questioned Fernando's performance on track, quite the opposite. Furthermore, after the race we get a tamer version of Fernando often laughing about what he said an hour earlier. Romain on the other hand might make crazy comments over the radio, but then his performance suffers, he drags the team down, and it's not only in the heat of the moment but for days and weeks after.

I still think Romain has (or at least had) enough talent to compete at the top, but either his (1) attitude will prevent him from ever getting to that spot, or (2) his inability to drive around the weaknesses of the car will keep him from the odd podiums he should be getting like Perez and Bottas have done in the past.
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- Aug 14 2017 - 23:09