Official: Haas F1 confirms Romain Grosjean for 2016
As expected, Romain Grosjean will indeed drive for the new Haas F1 Team in 2016. At the end of the year, he will leave Lotus after four seasons of collaboration.
It was during a press conference held on American soil, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, that the Haas F1 Team announced that Romain Grosjean would be driving under its new colors in 2016.
The Frenchman made a statement on his official Facebook account. He is pleased with the new direction his career has taken after spending the last two seasons with a struggling Lotus team: « What Gene Haas and everyone here at Haas F1 Team have built is impressive. I am very proud to be a part of it. The competition in F1 is incredible, and the only way to succeed is to find a new way of doing things. This is an opportunity for me with a new team that has a different approach to F1. I believe in it, and they believe in me. I am committed to giving my best to the Lotus F1 Team for the last 5 races of the season. I am very excited about what the future holds for the Haas F1 Team. »
During the press conference, Romain Grosjean emphasized that the extremely close ties between Haas and Ferrari influenced his decision: “I am very happy with my decision. I like the Haas project and the link with Ferrari,” he notably stated. The Frenchman is thus aiming to get closer to the Scuderia to succeed Kimi Räikkönen in 2017. Nevertheless, he intends to fully focus on his new team with the goal of “scoring points from the very first races” with them.
The eponymous owner of the team, Gene Haas, emphasized what Romain Grosjean could bring to his new team: « We wanted an experienced driver capable of developing our car and our team so that it could score points and improve with each race and each season. We found that in Romain Grosjean. I have a long experience in motorsports, and I learned quite early that the most crucial factor is the driver. Romain has solid credentials and will be an important asset for Haas F1 Team. »
The name of his future teammate at Haas has not yet been revealed; several names are circulating, primarily Esteban Gutierrez, although Jean-Eric Vergne or Alexander Rossi are also mentioned as possibilities.
For the first time in his Formula 1 career, Romain Grosjean will therefore experience a team other than Lotus or Renault. The Enstone team, financially struggling but about to be bought by the French engine manufacturer, mentioned a “great loss” through the voice of its chief engineer, Alan Permane.
Whaaaaat?! pic.twitter.com/EtBThpwtAI
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) 29 Septembre 2015
