Romain Grosjean

[Dragger]

Grosjean has grown on me, in the past he's been fast but erratic, inconsistent, and reckless. And he's had some bad luck too. Since Kimi has signed with Ferrari I think Lotus has been giving him full support and he's learned from his mistakes and matured.

I can't remember who but some once said it's easier to make a fast driver slow than a slow driver fast. Maybe someone can help me with who said that and the actual quote.

I think he has what it takes to be a future Champ someday, I look fwd to seeing him win his 1st race. What are y'alls thoughts of Grosjean?

[Mekola]

Grosjean reminds me the class of drivers like Trulli in the past decade or Jarier in the 1970s. Very fast but prone to errors; later matured and had their chances, even to win, but hardly materialized them. Is a good driver, no doubt. But I have a question mark in case he would be one of the greats.

[Aysedasi]

I don't see him becoming one of the greats, but if Lotus can improve next season, I'd have a fiver on him winning a race. I like him. Hopefully he's got over whatever crisis of confidence he may have had over his errors and yes, let's hope that whoever joins him at Lotus, he still gets max support from the team.

[Knowlesy]

He gets my vote. Took his bloody time getting his act together though.

[Dragger]

I think he'a had a problem of being overwhelmed at the start of the races, but he's overcome that. I've been seeing Prost in his pits lately, doesn't he work for Renault now? Could he be coaching Grosjean and helping his recent maturity?

[Aysedasi]

Of course you could put him in a Red Bull and I'll be sick and tired of him in a couple of seasons.......

[Dragger]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Of course you could put him in a Red Bull and I'll be sick and tired of him in a couple of seasons.......

Honest truth, I used to be a huge Ferrari fan back in the late 80's and throughout the 90's. When they dominated the series with 5 Championships with M.S. I actually got tired of it, started cheering for the underdogs.

Now Kimi and Alonso, my favorite two drivers, will be driving for Ferrari they are my favorite again. Though I still hope Lotus improve and do better.

[Aysedasi]

I don't need to cheer for Alonso - my missus does that. Having said that, I still believe he is at least as good as Vettel. Kimi - never rated him particularly, even when he won the WDC. Warmed to him last season, but now I find myself tiring of him and hoping that Grosjean beats him. He represents himself as just too much of a dullard - I think many mistake his 'don't give a monkeys' attitude for humour and high intelligence......

[Dragger]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I don't need to cheer for Alonso - my missus does that. Having said that, I still believe he is at least as good as Vettel. Kimi - never rated him particularly, even when he won the WDC. Warmed to him last season, but now I find myself tiring of him and hoping that Grosjean beats him. He represents himself as just too much of a dullard - I think many mistake his 'don't give a monkeys' attitude for humour and high intelligence......

Kimi just doesn't like dealing with the press. He races for the fun and to some extend money, not the fame. He's probably the world's worst salesman lol.

[Peat]

He's on a roll at the moment. But what will be the next thing to rock his confidence and start from zero again?

He looked very impressive on Sunday, but as i think i make clear - i have my reservations.

[Dragger]

Originally Posted by Peat

He's on a roll at the moment. But what will be the next thing to rock his confidence and start from zero again?

He looked very impressive on Sunday, but as i think i make clear - i have my reservations.

Hasn't it been a year(Spa 2012) since his last big ooppsie?

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I don't see him becoming one of the greats, but if Lotus can improve next season, I'd have a fiver on him winning a race. I like him. Hopefully he's got over whatever crisis of confidence he may have had over his errors and yes, let's hope that whoever joins him at Lotus, he still gets max support from the team.

I have been very impressed with his consistency in the last few races:

Singapore qualified 3 Ret from 6 with pneumatic failure
Korea qualified 3 finished 3
Japan qualified 4 finished 3
India qualified 17 finished 3
Abu Dahbi qualified 6 finished 4

Quality work from a very promising driver!

[Dragger]

Originally Posted by wnut

I have been very impressed with his consistency in the last few races:

Singapore qualified 3 Ret from 6 with pneumatic failure
Korea qualified 3 finished 3
Japan qualified 4 finished 3
India qualified 17 finished 3
Abu Dahbi qualified 6 finished 4

Quality work from a very promising driver!

17th to 3rd, passed his own teammate in India, that was a great drive.

[chillibowl]

actually he reminds of Massa in a weird way. bit of a rough start to their F1 careers but had noticeable speed, had to sit for a year and then when they came back steadily improved to become a threat in their own right. so yeah i could see him putting together a serious title challenge at some point.

[Dragger]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

actually he reminds of Massa in a weird way. bit of a rough start to their F1 careers but had noticeable speed, had to sit for a year and then when they came back steadily improved to become a threat in their own right. so yeah i could see him putting together a serious title challenge at some point.

I agree.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by Dragger

Hasn't it been a year(Spa 2012) since his last big ooppsie?

I think there must have been something this year, but it is one of those seasons where the detail is lost to me in a sludge of nothingness.

The last I can actually recall is Suzuka 2012 where he ploughed into Webber at turn one in such a way that you questioned his sanity.

[steve_r]

Last Big "oopsie": Monaco this year - wiped out Ricciardo at the chicane and received a 10 place grid penalty for the following race.

Nevertheless, his performances over the last few races have been fantastic.

[BitingPoint]

I think Grosjean has the abilities as a driver in the right car to be World Champ. It's just whether or not he gets the Opportunity.

If the Lotus is a dog next year it could be a Painful season fighting in the Midfield. The team are Punching above their weight this year and I feel that the lack of funding this season will have a profound effect on where they are next year.

Positions with top teams don't come around too often and unfortunately ability doesn't always get you there. All comes down to Young Drivers Programs, Sponsors and sometimes Luck with the car you Inherit.

Grosjean I think will end up being one of those guys who had the Ability to become World Champion but never the Opportunity.

[BSchneiderFan]

I don't know about world champion, but if Lotus produce a decent car I can see him taking race wins from time to time.

[JacobP]

A lot of greats have accomplished something remarkable during their first full-time season in F1. Schumacher won a race, Damon Hill won several, Senna took a remarkable podium or two, Hamilton outright challenged his teammate in championship title fight, Vettel won a race, etc. Grosjean has stepped too many times on the podium in his first full season to discount him as someone who won't become a great. With enough experience and a good car, he can win a race and maybe even be a champion some day.

[BSchneiderFan]

He stamped all over Auto GP (champion despite missing the first two rounds?), though the competition wasn't especially strong. Maybe he really has got his head straight now.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

He stamped all over Auto GP (champion despite missing the first two rounds?), though the competition wasn't especially strong. Maybe he really has got his head straight now.

And that GP2 comeback race, Hockenheim was it? He was devastatingly fast and racy, and although he ultimately crashed out, I was convinced I was watching a seriously ace driver beginning his 'comeback'.

[chunder]

Does no one else think that he might just be far more in favour at Renault now than Kimi?

It would be a fairly obvious thing to do to back him over the bloke that is a bit bitter about not being paid when the staff should and rightly get priority over his millions.

I know if I was working there I would hardly be putting much effort into listening to him.

Surely if he is staying there, they are going to try and give him more of what he wants and develop the car slightly more to his liking

Been going on at RBR for the last few years, so why not Renault

[bella]

i think there's a bit of erm.. extra support because of the kimi situation but being fair to the lad he really has straightened his game up. it seems to correlate to when his missus gave birth midseason which is probably totally unrelated!

[Dragger]

Originally Posted by chunder

Does no one else think that he might just be far more in favour at Renault now than Kimi?

It would be a fairly obvious thing to do to back him over the bloke that is a bit bitter about not being paid when the staff should and rightly get priority over his millions.

I know if I was working there I would hardly be putting much effort into listening to him.

Surely if he is staying there, they are going to try and give him more of what he wants and develop the car slightly more to his liking

Been going on at RBR for the last few years, so why not Renault

Grosjean is definitely their favored driver at the moment. But Lotus haven't given up completely on Kimi. Grosjean favors the longer wheelbase car, and that's what Lotus have been racing with. Kimi favors the shorter wheelbase car, they recently gave it back to him to use.

Grosjean is looking to be their #1 driver next year, so they should be giving him everything he wants.