Romain Grosjean has expressed surprise over Fernando Alonso's decision to skip this year's Monaco Grand Prix, as the Spaniard will instead compete in the famous Indy 500 race.
Alonso announced his decision on Wednesday, to the surprise of the paddock. His move has prompted positive comments from fellow drivers, but Haas driver Grosjean doesn't see why he would skip Monaco.
"The Indy 500 is a great race, but it's not necessarily a race that interests me," Haas driver Grosjean told France's RMC in Bahrain. "When you're 100pc involved in a team, I don't want to miss a Grand Prix, especially Monaco where so much can happen and you don't necessarily need a good engine. So I'm pretty surprised. It's good if that's what he wants to do but honestly, I'm surprised that it's happening."
Grosjean also added that if he were a team principal, he would not allow one of his drivers to leave for a Grand Prix to compete elsewhere: "If I was a team boss one day, no, I would not let him do it."
Force India's Nico Hulkenberg contested in and won the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 2015, which also saw praise come his way from fellow drivers. However, he admits his situation was different.
"My case was completely different. I would never miss a race in Formula 1, as Fernando will. Especially Monaco. Fernando can do whatever he wants, it's his business, but I'm surprised by the situation -- like everyone else."
Fergal Walsh
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