Grosjean thinks sitting out free practices is 'unfair'

Romain Grosjean says continually sitting out free practice sessions in 2015 is "unfair". Whenever reserve driver Jolyon Palmer conducts Friday morning duties for Lotus, it is Frenchman Grosjean rather than the heavily PDVSA-funded Pastor Maldonado who gives up his seat.

"Let's say that in the beginning it was not easy to live with it," Grosjean told the French magazine Auto Hebdo ahead of the Belgian grand prix, where once again Briton Palmer will occupy his black and gold car early on Friday. "I don't know any driver who gladly gives up his seat. Losing an hour and a half of practice is not an ideal situation -- if Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren do not do it, it is because they believe it is counterproductive," he insisted.

"It is the same for our team, but it helps us to survive," Grosjean explained. "That's why we have to accept it. The best I can do is to show that I am competitive and be ahead of my teammate," he added. Asked if it is difficult to understand why he and Maldonado cannot share the ignominy of sitting out for Palmer, Grosjean admitted: "Partly, yes. I think it's unfair, but that's life." (GMM)

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • I agree that its unfair. Grosjean is Lotus' best driver, and while Maldonado need all the practice he can get, its not fair that only Grosjean should sit out so many practice sessions..

    • + 0
    • Aug 19 2015 - 16:14
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    As said "the heavily PDVSA-funded Pastor Maldonado"...
    If Renault buys back Lotus then I don't think he will be able to make such demands, probably he will be lucky to keep his seat.

    • + 0
    • Aug 19 2015 - 17:32

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (39)
  • Place of b. Geneve, FR
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar