Grosjean: “My first victory is not far away”

What do you think of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit?
What a fantastic tour! It's a roller coaster. And there is this bonus for me which is the fact that we speak French there and which makes it a bit like my third Grand Prix at home with Monaco and Canada. If we display the same level of performance as in Budapest, on a more classic circuit, wider, and offering more overtaking possibilities, then I think that doing great things is possible.

With half a season behind you, what do you think of E21?
Obviously, during the last races, I found it excellent, since I was able to attack in qualifying and in the race. It's a good situation to approach the second part of the season in the position we are in, with very good opportunities to achieve great results.

How well do you think the E21 will perform at Spa?
In fact, the second part of the season seems to be good in general regarding the tracks supposed to suit the E21. I hope we have everything we need to win races. I'm looking forward to it because it's a special circuit where I won my GP2 title in 2011. It's going to be nice to go back there.

If you had to summarize these first 10 races, what would you say?
The word “potential” is the key. It's certain, we went through difficult times, and perhaps the results did not always live up to what the team deserved. But the potential to finish in the leading group has always been there.

What have been your highlights so far?
Just after Hungary, my little boy, Sacha, was born. I am now a proud dad. On the track, I would perhaps say the overtaking on Felipe (Massa) in Budapest. At the time I thought it was perhaps the best of my career. But obviously, with the resulting penalty, it is no longer the same. The podium in Germany would be my second choice. Not only because it was a great result for the whole team, but also because we fought for victory until the end. And that's pleasant.

Conversely, what were your most difficult moments?
Monaco wasn't my best weekend, that's no secret. The performance was there, but for one reason or another, I was never able to put everything together even though a good result was possible. For that, I always owe a drink to the mechanics and the guys in the Composites department (he had hung the Toro Rosso de Ricciardo. Editor’s note). I hope the champagne of victory will flow by the end of the season...

What state are you in at the start of this second half of the season?
Very good. We showed in Germany and Hungary that we could fight at the front. I think if we continue to improve in the same way we should do pretty well in the remaining nine races. I feel more and more comfortable in the car, which is promising. After our performances in the last races, I honestly think that my first victory is not far away.