Romain Grosjean has admitted that he is worried about a potential race ban in the upcoming races. The Frenchman picked up an extra penalty point on his license at the US Grand Prix after making contact with Charles Leclerc on the opening lap of the race.
Grosjean was attempting to hold his car up the inside of Leclerc's Sauber as they braked for Turn 12. However, he locked up his tyre and spun Leclerc, with both men going on to retire from the race. Drivers that pick up 12 penalty points on their license over a twelve month period will receive a race ban.
Grosjean's total was brought up to 10 after the race last weekend, however he loses one point this weekend in Mexico. But the Frenchman admits that he is worried about picking up a race ban if he gets involved in another incident.
"Yes, I'm in a sh*t situation," he said in Mexico. "I have two points left. OK, I get one back after the race and two back after Brazil [when the 12 month period expires for those points] so then it will be a bit nicer, but sometimes you take a penalty point and you don't know why."
The Haas driver still thinks he was handed a harsh penalty in the US: "You could have seen it as a lap one race incident," he said. "Yes, I made a mistake, because I didn't want to take risks, I didn't brake hard enough, didn't slow down and I found dirty air [from the car in front].
"It's lap one of the race, things happen, if you start putting a penalty every time we try to get move done, the race is already not the most exciting in the world. My goodness. I think I have got penalised enough because my race was ruined.
"The points system, do we need it in F1, with supposedly the best drivers in the world? I don't know. Put it in NASCAR and guys will be banned three times a year. I didn't want to be aggressive, and I lifted off out of the fight, and then I got caught in dirty air. I trust my stars will be aligned and everything is going to go well."
Local time
Local time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (0)
Login to reply