Grosjean: “The result we hoped for”

Romain Grosjean and Haas F1 Team did not see themselves at such a party after qualifying for the Australian GP. The VF-18s showed astonishing performances since the Frenchman took seventh position on the grid, sixth with Daniel Ricciardo's penalty, between his teammate Kevin Magnussen and Renault RS 18 Nico Hulkenberg et Carlos Sainz Jr.

“It’s a confirmation of what we saw yesterday, indicated the 2011 GP2 Series champion. We had to manage based on the potential we have, but this is the result we were hoping for. We were a little slower compared to the day before due to the cooler conditions and I lost a little feeling on the front axle. It's not really my favorite, but I still managed to qualify behind the three big teams just behind Kevin. I know that if we progress on this point, I will gain much more than two tenths. »

If Romain Grosjean welcomes the promising potential of the Haas VF-18, the Frenchman remains aware that the gap with the three leading teams is still high. There Red Bull RB14 Daniel Ricciardo who finished Q3 in fifth place was ahead of his mount by more than a second.

“I'm sure we still have some in reserve and that's really positive even if the gap with the top teams is still significant. We were a little more in the match yesterday with the high temperatures. The Haas VF-18 is in any case the best car I have driven in this team”, confirmed the French pilot.

“The pace of the Renaults was impressive, but I am a little surprised to see the McLaren absent from the Top 10. In any case, this gives us hope by finding ourselves so well placed on the grid. I'm not really worried about race pace, I've always been competitive in Melbourne. The objective will be to remain in this position in the hierarchy during the season. A fourth place in the Manufacturers’ Championship would already be a magnificent result”, he admitted.

Romain Grosjean managed to secure sixth place for Haas F1 Team's debut at the Australian GP in 2016.