Grosjean expects return to struggling pace after 'one-off' round
- Published on 30 Sep 2019 12:11
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- By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh
Romain Grosjean says he is not expecting Haas to keep up its form from the Russian Grand Prix weekend in the coming races.
The American squad secured its first points since Germany as Kevin Magnussen crossed the line in eighth place, before being demoted down a spot due to a time penalty.
MORE: Magnussen fumes at 'bullshit' time penalty
Grosjean, who qualified inside the top ten, was eliminated from the race on the opening lap after coming together with Daniel Ricciardo and Antonio Giovinazzi.
"Not much to say, the footage is pretty clear," Grosjean said. "We've been working very hard all weekend and for once we had a competitive car. We were going to go for points today and we got ruined at Turn 4. So a really disappointing afternoon."
When asked if he thinks the crash was a racing incident, Grosjean said: "Now I don't know, but let me digest it and then I'll see."
Haas has struggled for much of the season with its car over race pace, with Grosjean admitting that the team's race pace in Sochi was a surprise.
However, a tough end of the season has been predicted by the Frenchman, who will stay at Haas for another year in 2020.
"I'm afraid not," he said when asked if Haas can repeat its Russia pace going forward. "Here, we were competitive from the beginning of the weekend, it came as a bit of a surprise. Maybe Japan could be good, but we're expecting a tough end to the season.
"Recent form has shown it's more of a one-off. That's why it's even more hard to digest, because you're like 'Ok, this is the race that we can do it'. We had a huge amount of pressure in qualifying because you know it's you're only chance to get to Q3.
"You work hard and then you get taken out at Turn 4, it's very hard."
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
You cannot expect them to keep form when you can hardly have a 50% clean race ratio over a season, Grosjean.
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
Dear me, that was a harsh one.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
But it isn't unfair. In 16 races he has retired 7 times, and only one of those weren't due to an incident. This is a greater failure ratio than even the rookies. It's more than just aggression at this rate, it's incompetence.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Thats not harsh. its reality when he first came into F1 he crashed all the time. People gave Kvyat a nickname for less than Grosjean crashed and took people out. Nothing has changed try to pass him and he will take you out defend from him passing he will take you out. The other that was bad is Ocon he too is fast but will crash a lot Renault will regret that signing. Oh but then you can't blame the car.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Grosjean has had exits the last two races. He is punishing Haas for resigning him. Grosjean has a case of red mist 24/7 like the plague
f1ski
Posts: 726
why sign a driver who can't express any optimism
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
And yet, it's Hulkenberg the one without a seat in part due to Alain Prost's assessment that Nico is "too negative"