Grosjeans future

[Bononi]

Oh yes, but http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107691

[ECW Dan Selby]

Ouchies. Not too surprised. Could have been a dangerous one, that.

I really wouldn't be surprised to see a new driver take that penalty for him in Canada (that is how it works in that scenario, isn't it?).

Selby

[BSchneiderFan]

Grosjean does seem to be running out of lives. You can have all the speed in the world, but if you can't unlock it, there's no point in you being there. I think he'll see out the season but I'd expect a new face at Lotus next year.

[F1Pete]

Lotus lost 56 million last year. If Grosjean keeps squandering points then they will also lose Kimi. I sense replacement sooner than later. It's funny that peripheral vision was mentioned and how it may be lacking for Grosj. Gilles V apparently had beyond excellent peri vision almost to the point of having eyes in the back of his head.

Heikki was seen in Monaco all suited up...not in a race suit. Driver interview maybe? HHeikki, keep your phone on.

[TrapezeArtist]

I have a degree of sympathy for Fat John: he has got himself trapped between the risk of crashing and the risk of being too slow, and he just can't find the right balance. I can imagine the little wheels spinning round inside his head "A bit slow - must push harder - ooooooooops, wham, bam, crash, ugh - Excuse me Eric. How many sets of suspension did you bring this weekend?"

F1 is not a sympathetic place to live though, and I think he is on borrowed time. I doubt he will be directly fired before the next race but the best he can hope for is to see out this season. More probably he will be replaced within the next three races.

[broadrun96]

After looking back on the latest Grosjean episode he might be getting too much of the blame, although he is definitely on the hook for his stupidity. Doubt he was expecting Ricciardo to break that early but he was risking it shadowing him that closely and when Ricciardo brake checked him, or even just lifted a little, it was over. Sadly this one left a vivid picture of debris everywhere and a grid penalty to hurt himself and the team and that can leave a lasting memory.

[wolfhound]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

After looking back on the latest Grosjean episode he might be getting too much of the blame, although he is definitely on the hook for his stupidity. Doubt he was expecting Ricciardo to break that early but he was risking it shadowing him that closely and when Ricciardo brake checked him, or even just lifted a little, it was over. Sadly this one left a vivid picture of debris everywhere and a grid penalty to hurt himself and the team and that can leave a lasting memory.

If Dan brake checked him it would appear in the data that the stewards would have access to, and could have taken appropriate action.

[kipper]

I would be a little surprised if Grosjean were to be replaced before the end of the season as the only alternatives would be a rookie (such as Valsecchi, with the team having to put up with the possibility of some rookie errors) or taking a more experienced, if perhaps uninspiring driver with little knowledge of the 2012 car (such as d'Ambrosio or another driver). Whilst Grosjean has his faults; there is no doubting that he can be quick on his day. 2014 is another story of cause.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

If Dan brake checked him it would appear in the data that the stewards would have access to, and could have taken appropriate action.

Exactly. Despite how it may appear from the outside to us, also the fact that Lotus did not lodge an appeal... I think we have to assume this was Grosjean's fault.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by kipper

I would be a little surprised if Grosjean were to be replaced before the end of the season as the only alternatives would be a rookie (such as Valsecchi, with the team having to put up with the possibility of some rookie errors) or taking a more experienced, if perhaps uninspiring driver with little knowledge of the 2012 car (such as d'Ambrosio or another driver). Whilst Grosjean has his faults; there is no doubting that he can be quick on his day. 2014 is another story of cause.

If it were down to me I'd be thinking Heikki or Kamui for the remainder of this season and hedging my bets for 2014. Given Grosjean's previous and current form, doing nothing would seem to be a bit dumb.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

If Dan brake checked him it would appear in the data that the stewards would have access to, and could have taken appropriate action.

agreed.

the stewards have much more info then we do. that doesnt mean they always get it right but if there was any evidence against Riccardo then i would think Lotus would have made that case after the race and to the press...neither of which they have done.

instead they seem to be letting Grosjean flap in the wind with no press releases of support or positive spin on his race. as of today he seems a man alone.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by 321Go

There's nothing wrong with Romain Grosjean's raw driving talent. Nothing at all. Infact, I would go as far as to say he is probably in the top 5 'fastest' drivers on the grid. The problem Grosjean has is mental, a concentration issue. He loses focus too easily. Grosjean does not need driver coaching, as was once offered to him by sir Jackie Stewart. He's got plenty of raw driving talent. He needs to get his mental space sorted when on the track, and then we would see a different picture.

But driver coaching would help him sort his mental side. It is all about mental preparation and how you think through a race. This is Grosjean's problem.

I couldn't believe the stick JYS got for suggesting coaching, but I keep forgetting this is F1 and progressive thinking is always second to being macho. Shame really, as Grosjean is now in a tough position but he knows best obviously...

[Marcus666]

Although I want Grosjean to stay with Lotus, CAN YOU IMAGINE KIMI AND HEIKKI TOGETHER? Brilliant !!!!

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

agreed.

the stewards have much more info then we do. that doesn't mean they always get it right.....

Like Alonso having to let Perez past......

[Knowlesy]

Heikki?

[GTE]

Is Kamui anywhere near the frame? He seems to be pretty tied up with Ferrari. As an AF Corse-driver (practically a factoryteam) and he has tested a 2010 Ferrari Formula 1 car earlier today.

I suppose Boulliers patience is running low, but I am not too sure about the alternatives. No doubt Grosjean is quick but his judgment seems to be a bit off at times, which is a BIG handicap for any racingdriver.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by GTE

Is Kamui anywhere near the frame? He seems to be pretty tied up with Ferrari. As an AF Corse-driver (practically a factoryteam) and he has tested a 2010 Ferrari Formula 1 car earlier today.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't an out in whatever contract Kamui has with Ferrari to allow him to take up an F1 race offer if it became available.

[Cynic]

A question out of ignorance: are Grosjeans driving standards being reviewed by Lotus internally, or by the FIA as part of his superlicence? A lot of the comments here are working on the assumption that Lotus will decide when / if he goes. If the FIA decide to pull his licence for being a plank then the issue of who replaces him boils down to simply who has a licence and is available on short notice. Given Mystic Eddie's success ratio for predictions I wouldn't put money on Grosjean racing in Canada just now.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by 321Go

Link?????

Here

[Razzzor]

I'm not so concerned about Grosjean's number of incidents. Although 4 crashes at Monaco is a lot. Eventually the incidents will come down.

I remember a certain 7 times world champion and possibly the greatest driver in history having a massive rear ender twice in one year during his comeback. Webber had a beauty at Singapore was it...

I'd be more concerned with Grosjean not keeping up with Kimi, at all. Apart from his single podium, he's been nowhere near Kimi's pace, and for someone with his experience he should be closer. He was last year, but it seems that might have been more to do with Kimi still getting up to speed.

There's no way I'd get rid of him yet though. You're only replacing him with a F1 outcast like Kobayashi, Kovi, Alwasari (screw the correct spelling) - there's no reason why any of these guys would be faster than Grosjean. None won the Gp2 title. Remember who won the last IROC, beating Schumi and Vettel?

[Mekola]

I think Romain will stay with Lotus... at least for Canadian GP.

[321Go]

Originally Posted by 321Go

Link?????

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Here

Thanks GTR, but I was only kiddin'. Some people around here seem to get their panties in a knot if you don't post a "link".

[doug911]

In F1 of course a driver needs to be quick AND consistent.......just being quick is no good at all...

And for that reason........he's fired

[GT6]

What have they got to replace him and how will that effect sponsors etc

[ECW Dan Selby]

Yeh, true. They'd lose Total, presumably.

Although you'd have to wonder if Nokia would want to get involved if they did get Heikki.

That'd be the first (ever?) all Finnish line-up in some time!


Selby