Romain Grosjean speaks before the start of the season

“Eric's departure was big news for everyone, we didn't necessarily expect it. » Explain Grosjean. The Franco-Swiss driver was very close to the former Lotus Team Principal, who now moved to McLaren, where he holds the position of competition director. Mclaren racing.

“We will have to find someone who is capable of doing what he did enstone, and he held this team very well. We have experienced somewhat difficult times and, today, I want to say that things are much better and that that is happiness internally. And then, in the end, as far as I'm concerned, I just had to make some adjustments within Gravity to find a new person to take care of me. »

Romain Grosjean also returned to the first laps of the new Lotus E22, in Jerez during “promotional” days. “If the first day, we were only able to go out at the end of the day, then we were able to do the 100km before 4 a.m., without big problems. It wasn't extraordinary, but the car brakes, accelerates, turns right, left? Everything remained in one piece, which is pretty positive. Renault was able to make progress on the first problems. We are expecting a new round of changes for Bahrain and there I will get into the car for the first time, in real conditions, with real temperatures because the big fear is overheating on these cars. »

Concerning his teammate Pastor Maldonado, Grosjean believes that “ it was smart to let him get in the car the first because he didn't know the team. Then I'm going to be the first to ride with the whole package in Bahrain.

For the coming season, Romain Grosjean thinks that the Fuel management and reliability will be key points. Everyone is wondering what to do. These are still “sprint” races and we should not be told in the middle of the Grand Prix to lose 3″ per lap. This could clearly happen. »

Lotus will be present on the Bahrain track for the second winter testing session from February 19.

Also find our Guide F1 on sale digitally on February 17 from 22 p.m., and on newsstands on February 19.