Grosjean stands ready

The ousting of Nelson Piquet was not a surprise to anyone. For several races already, the rumor of the departure of the son of the three-time world champion had been making rounds, as had the name of his successor. If nothing has yet been made official on the side of the Enstone team and Viry-Chatillon, there is little doubt that Romain Grosjean should take Piquet's place alongside Fernando Alonso.

Third driver of the team led by Flavio Briatore since 2008, the Franco-Swiss is ready and regularly goes back and forth to Enstone to fine-tune his physical and mental preparation. Currently second in the GP2 championship with the Barwa Addax team, Romain Grosjean is lacking driving time aboard the R29. Even if he recently participated in the Renault exhibition F1 Team as part of the World Series by Renault at Le Mans at the wheel of an R28, his last tests at the wheel of a car the diamond dates back to July 22, 2008 in Jerez. Since the ban on testing during the season, however, simulator practice has become essential to perfect your reflexes behind the wheel of an F1.

On the other hand, Grosjean's first laps may not take place right away. Indeed, the Renault team is excluded from the European Grand Prix on August 23 following the affair of Alonso?s wheel which came off during the race at the Hungaroring. If the team has appealed this decision, it will not be examined until August 17, the Monday before the GP in Valencia. Grosjean would then only be able to make his debut at Spa-Francorchamps, the following weekend.