Alesi: “We must leave Grosjean alone”
Romain Grosjean's podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix is the first for a French driver since Jean Alesi's at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1998. The Avignon native wanted to respond and encourage his worthy successor on RMC radio.
Jean Alesi would like the pressure to ease a little on Romain Grosjean. According to him, the French driver needs to continue his learning process calmly. “He is full of promise but he needs to be left alone. I know what I’m talking about. Since the start of the season, comments about him have been inconsistent. That’s not okay. He needs to be calm and take the time necessary to gain more control in the field. When he makes it to the podium, we’re all happy, and when he underperforms, we all need to support him.”
Alesi is obviously referring to the media backlash that Grosjean was subjected to after the first two races of the season where the French driver did not shine in the race despite strong qualifying sessions.
He then scored his first points in China and, during the last Grand Prix, achieved the feat of reaching the podium after only eleven race participations.
Jean Alesi, as a Frenchman and also a luxury ambassador for the Lotus team, is of course delighted with this result: « I spent time with Romain Grosjean at the beginning of his career. Seeing him climb onto the podium makes me happy. He’s a guy who worked hard and managed to make it to the podium. »
But when asked if Grosjean is his logical successor, Alesi doesn’t quite agree: “My successor? I don’t see it that way. I watch Formula 1 as an enthusiast. I thoroughly enjoy watching the Grand Prix.”
