Grosjean: Haas was scaring Renault in 2018

  • Published on 09 Jan 2019 11:14
  • comments 8
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Romain Grosjean says that Haas was scaring Renault throughout the 2018 season, and thinks the Enstone squad should continue to be scared going forward. The two manufacturers were involved in a fight for fourth in the constructors' standings, a battle that Renault won.

Renault ended the season 26 points ahead of Haas in the championship after the latter ran into a number of difficulties throughout the nine months. At the Italian Grand Prix, Renault protested the legality of the Haas car, which was ultimately found to be illegal, disqualifying Grosjean from the classifications.

"I don't think it is a great sportsmanship move," Grosjean said of Renault's Italy protest. "But yes, we were scaring them, which is good. They should be [scared] for the future."

After a steady opening two years for the American squad in F1, Haas jumped to the front of the midfield for the 2019 season. However, Grosjean says a number of things need to be ironed out in order to stay in a similar position in 2019.

"There are few things. One example is that we don't produce parts, so we need to manufacture them outside and sometimes it takes a bit too long. That is one example that I can give out of a few, but that is one. When it would take three days [for them], to our team to do it maybe takes three weeks.

"Like the floor, we didn't have the time to change it for Monza, that was the only thing. The performance gain is zero. Absolutely zero, zero, but we just didn't have the time to do it for Monza and Renault played on it."

Haas will field the same line-up for a third consecutive year next season, with Kevin Magnussen staying at the new outfit alongside Grosjean.

*Inserts Maximum sass*

  • 1
  • Jan 9 2019 - 13:44

Replies (8)

Login to reply
  • Kean

    Posts: 692

    Many teams are afraid of Haas, what with all the parts falling off the cars... ;-)

    • + 0
    • Jan 9 2019 - 12:20
  • I wonder, if Grosjean could make the same statement at the end of 2019. Didn't Haas struggle to get the cooling of disc brakes right, without the help of outsiders?

    • + 0
    • Jan 9 2019 - 15:59
  • Haas talking themselves up after underachieving massively in 2018. The reality is that more often than not they had the best car of the rest. Certainly better than Renault. But through sheer driver stupidity and some egregious pit wall/crew errors they threw away several points. The protest Renault launched? We'll Haas was non-compliant. They knew that they needed to change the floor for several months. Was there a performance gain? There is no way of knowing from the outside, but I don't see problem with a team calling out another for breaking the rules. Finally, seriously hypocritical for Grosjean to call out Renault when Haas are the ones that tried to sink Force India over legalise regarding the name of the team. Now that's cowardly. Can't beat then on track, so tried to take points away in court.

    • + 1
    • Jan 9 2019 - 17:49
    • As you say, considering how Haas themselves have called out rival designs, I dont think they should be too loud about that move not being sport.

      • + 0
      • Jan 9 2019 - 18:33
    • *legalese no legalise :)

      • + 0
      • Jan 9 2019 - 21:05
  • Afraid of Grosjean crashing into them maybe. He has a point though. Renault need to up their game to beat them this year. That is if Grosjean can stay consistent in finishing races in the points.

    • + 0
    • Jan 9 2019 - 18:26
    • Well I mean, obviously Grosjean didnt hit them, they hit him. He was just racing along and that wall just jumped into his path suddenly. Was nothing he could do! Dont blame Grosjean, he breathes through his skin!

      • + 0
      • Jan 9 2019 - 22:19

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (37)
  • Place of b. Geneve, FR
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar