Official: Grosjean announces his departure from the Haas F1 Team

This is the end of a five-season story: Romain Grosjean will no longer be a Haas driver next season. The Frenchman announced it this Thursday morning on his social media.

An expected announcement from the Haas F1 Team

Under contract with the American team until the end of 2020, Grosjean has not found a new agreement with Gene Haas. The identity of his successor is still unknown, but it is expected to be the young Nikita Mazepin, according to information announced by Canal+ during the Eifel Grand Prix two weeks ago. The 21-year-old Russian driver currently in Formula 2 would benefit from funding provided by his father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, already the owner of the Hitech GP team… the one where his son Nikita races!

According to the latest rumors in the paddock, the other seat could go to one of the Ferrari Driver Academy pilots: Mick Schumacher, if he is not retained by Alfa Romeo, or Callum Illot are the favorites to replace Kevin Magnussen, who is also not being retained by the Haas F1 Team.

And now, what future for Grosjean?

For the French driver, the matter is therefore settled after 92 Grand Prix for the Haas F1 Team. After a few stints in 2009 and 9 consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2020 (with 10 podiums, all with Lotus), he is heading towards a departure from Formula 1. Grosjean has already expressed interest in Formula E or the WEC, and the Peugeot Hypercar project starting in 2022.

But before that, Grosjean wished his team good luck for the future, who also thanked him in a message on their website. Leader of the Haas project upon his arrival in F1 in 2016, the Geneva native led the team to a sixth place in the very first race in Australia, followed by a fifth place at the next Grand Prix in Bahrain. A moment that Günther Steiner, Team Principal of the Haas team, has not forgotten:

Romain played a fundamental role in our arrival in Formula 1. His results at the start of 2016 were a just reward, not only for his talent but also for the enormous work done for the team.

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English & Francais (en dessous) The last chapter is closed and the book is finished. I’ve been with Haas F1 team since day 1. Five years during which we went through highs and lows but the journey was worth it. I’ve learned a lot, improved to be a better driver as well as a better man. I hope I’ve also helped people in the team to improve themself. This is probably my biggest pride, more than any of the crazy first races in 2016 or the P4 at the Austrian GP 2018. I wish the team all the best for the future. Romain Le dernier chapitre est clos et le livre terminé. J’ai fait partie de l’aventure Haas F1 team depuis le tout premier jour. Cinq années de hauts et de bas, mais l’aventure en valait la peine. J’ai énormément appris, me suis amélioré tant sur le plan pilote que sur le plan humain. J’espère aussi avoir aidé certains membres de l’équipe à devenir meilleurs, et c’est sans doute ma plus grande fierté, bien plus que ma quatrième place au GP d’Autriche 2018 ou que nos spectaculaires débuts en 2016. Je souhaite sincèrement le meilleur à l’équipe pour son futur. Romain #r8g

Une publication partagée par Romain Grosjean (@grosjeanromain) le 22 Oct. 2020 à 1 :21 PDT