The beginning of this year’s Formula One season was not kind to Romain Grosjean who lost points-scoring position in Australia due to a cross-threaded wheel nut and finished only two races since then. The Frenchman will try to turn around his season during its European part. In Barcelona he talked with ŚwiatWyścigów.pl’s Roksana Ćwik.
Romain, after a tough start to this year’s campaign, is it difficult to move forward from that?
It’s not the start of the season we wanted but it’s only the beginning and we have many races still to go. We had a few issues, but we also have a fast car and a good team, so we should be in a good position to move forward.
How the team reacted to what happened in Melbourne?
It was a tough day, but it is racing and we are only humans – not robots – so mistakes can happen. I have also made one in Baku, so it happens. We know we have a good car, so we can move on from that.
Some of the drivers have said that the race in Baku should have been red flagged due to the conditions and the time required to clean up the debris. Do you agree with that?
To be honest, I didn’t do the last ten laps and didn’t see what was going on as I was heading back to the pits, so I cannot really comment on that.
Due you feel any pressure from the Günther Steinter’s comments after that race?
No, he didn’t say anything bad. He said it was a mistake that no one wants to do and I obviously didn’t want it either. There is a lot of explanation and I don’t want to go into details, but I know what I need to do in Formula One, as does Günther, so we are good.
This year the French Grand Prix will be part of F1’s calendar for the first time since your debut...
Yes, I am very happy and proud. I think it will be a great show, a great place to go racing and spend time with your family. I think it is gonna be a great place to be.
And what do you think about the potential of having another race in the US?
It’s amazing and I’m really excited. Miami is a great place and having a race there would bring something special tor Formula One.
The owners are also evaluating the race format. Do you think it needs to be changed?
No, I think the current format is pretty good and from the surveys we have done it is pretty clear that the fans are happy with it too.
The team has not brought a huge upgrade package for the Spanish Grand Prix. Do you think it will put you as a disadvantage?
Everyone always says they will have a new package for Spain, but it doesn’t really mean anything. These days we are getting new parts every race and while we don’t have anything major here, it will come in a few races time. If we can set up the car nicely, we can find more potential than we have been able to do recently.
What do you think that potential is?
I think we are doing a good job and fighting some big teams at the front. While we didn’t score as many points this season as we probably should, we will be all right. I think there is still more potential in the car that we are trying to unlock.
In the past you have been driving for some works teams. How does Haas compare to the likes of e.g. Renault?
They are two great teams. I don’t really like to make comparisons, as every team is different. What I can say is that every team has the same goals in mind and that is to go racing and fight hard. We have a very good atmosphere here and everyone is working together to grow the team.
Some teams have been very creative with putting additional elements onto their Halos. Do you think it might become dangerous for the drivers?
I don’t think it’s dangerous, but I think it looks like a Christmas tree. While I am happy that the safety is pushed forward and the Halo protects in certain cases, I didn’t like it since the beginning and I still don’t.
Is it difficult to combine being a racing driver and a dad?
Those are two different jobs and I think they are complimenting each other well. Being a dad bring you the support back home and makes you proud, while being a racing driver is something that I love doing, so you can say that I am a really happy man.
How do you keep such positive attitude at all times, even during the difficult moments?
I also have bad days and then I don’t smile. Taking Baku as an example, it wasn’t great, we lost points for the team and it felt horrible at that time, at the end of the day it is only a sport and no one was hurt and the sun came the next day.
