<< Return to the news list

Grosjean reckons he should have got a Ferrari seat in 2014

Published on 08 Jul 2017 15:46
12
By: Fergal Walsh

Romain Grosjean believes that electric components in his 2013 car caused him to miss out on a Ferrari seat for the 2014 season. Kimi Raikkonen was given the seat alongside Fernando Alonso, leaving Lotus where he partnered Grosjean for two years.

Before the hybrid era began in 2014, cars ran with a system called KERS. It collected kinetic energy from the brakes and enabled drivers to deploy extra power for seven seconds each lap to either attack, defend or go faster down a straight.

Grosjean's electrical problems started in 2013 according to the 31-year-old with the KERS system. Grosjean finished that year in seventh place, 51 points behind Raikkonen, taking six podiums to Raikkonen's eight.

"Since we've had this sh*t... it's been sh*t! It's a catastrophe," Grosjean jokingly told Nextgen-Auto.com. "We had the same problems with the KERS. And that's really what penalised me, in early 2013. Without it, I would have blown away Kimi from start to finish, and I'd be the one racing for Ferrari!"

"Other drivers appear to have less problems, not because they brake earlier or less hard, but because they have less sensitivity in the left pedal. I need the brakes to react exactly the way I want. Kimi on the other hand couldn't adapt to the Lotus' power steering. I never understood why, we tried several different versions and I never felt a difference."

Fergal Walsh

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475

Grosjean might be the worst driver at managing his image on the grid. I used to like him a lot, but one statement and radio rant at a time has caused me to really look down on him. Not that what I think matters, but I think other teams feel the same. He will never become a Ferrari driver.

2
Jul 8 2017 - 16:48

F1 News Fernando Alonso Romain Grosjean Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari Lotus F1

Replies (12)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
FAT CHANCE.. after 2012? There's no way
- + 0
- Jul 8 2017 - 16:19
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Grosjean might be the worst driver at managing his image on the grid. I used to like him a lot, but one statement and radio rant at a time has caused me to really look down on him. Not that what I think matters, but I think other teams feel the same. He will never become a Ferrari driver.
- + 2
- Jul 8 2017 - 16:48
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree, the talk he is talking both on and off track has definitely worsened my opinion on him.
  + 1
  
  Jul 8 2017 - 17:22
- f1ski
  
  Posts: 726
  He is french what did you expect. The only thing sensitive are his feelings.
  + 0
  
  Jul 8 2017 - 23:15
NEXT SPARE VAMP

Posts: 1,874
"I need the brakes to react exactly the way I want."

Well, since he's the one who still suffers brake problems most of the time, one could say Grosjean obviously is not really suited for Formula One.
- + 0
- Jul 8 2017 - 18:00
krommenaas

Posts: 155
He's no worse than Barrichello or Irvine were, so sure he could have been a Ferrari driver. It's not smart of him to vent his frustrations like this though.
- + 0
- Jul 8 2017 - 19:30
ianf1

Posts: 185
I've said it before and I'll say it again
-->You've got to admire his self belief

He really does sound like "poor me, poor me" the whole time. I'm finding it really irritating now.
- + 1
- Jul 8 2017 - 21:13
Bhurt

Posts: 320
He's right you know. Other drivers DO have less problems, not because they brake earlier or less hard, just a lot better.
- + 0
- Jul 8 2017 - 21:21
f1ski

Posts: 726
Sainz to HAAS.
- + 0
- Jul 8 2017 - 23:18
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I wouldnt mind that move.
  + 0
  
  Jul 8 2017 - 23:45
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  But wouldn't that pretty much be a lateral move? I can see him trying to go to Renault or maybe even McLaren, but HAAS would hardly seem like an improvement.
  + 0
  
  Jul 9 2017 - 00:28
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
Yeah, no way.
Now four years removed, he still shouldn't get a shot at Ferrari in 2018. Also this whining attitude is getting really, really old.
- + 1
- Jul 8 2017 - 23:21