Grosjean – from zero to hero

Their tangle followed a string of incidents, the most serious of which was Grosjean’s opening lap Belgian Grand Prix accident, which saw his black/gold propelled over a number of cars, including the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. The Ferrari was out on the spot and the incident arguably cost the Spaniard a third world title.

Grosjean was banned for a race, yet his team continued with a driver many considered held a death wish. Asked why he had not dumped Grosjean after he cost the team an estimated 25 points – equal to a race win – in three races Lotus owner Gerard Lopez said simply: “We know how fast he is.”

There were no doubt other reasons and Grosjean is closely linked to Total, with the oil company in turn enjoying a close relationship with Lotus engine supplier Renault. Together they contribute around R150m to the team’s modest coffers, and one does not turn that away.

Still, it was a remarkable act of faith, for Grosjean had already been forced out of F1 in 2009 in the wake of ‘Crashgate’ the scandal involving Renault, resulting in the sale of the team to Lopez, who renamed it Lotus. Grosjean, who failed to impress during his brief F1 tenure, turned to sports car racing.

However, Lotus team principal Eric Boullier recognised a spark, and channelled Grosjean towards the GP2 feeder series, with the promise of an F1 return should he win the 2011 championship. Grosjean delivered and returned to F1 last year.

Almost from the ‘off’ his career was blighted by crashes, with not even the one-race ban doing the trick. It seemed the red mist descended when the lights went out, and he regularly cut a lonely figure after driver briefings as drivers joked and kidded amongst themselves. Romain was radioactive.

RISING STAR: Romain Grosjean has got his act together in Formula One and was on the podium in Japan.
Picture: AFP.

He was retained for 2013 – just. The team needed his commercial package but not his crashes, so he was on a race-by-race contract, further increasing the pressure to perform without incident. As a result his performances were somewhat lacklustre.

However, three things happened in the background. He married long-time girlfriend and French TV F1 reporter Marion, who gave birth to Sacha in July.

Romain, grandson of an Olympic skier, not only became a respectable father with responsibilities, but tempered his wild ways without losing his undoubted speed.

Then Kimi Raikkonen announced he would return to Ferrari for 2014 – having been dumped by the Scuderia in 2009 – leaving the prime seat in a team with regular podium potential up for grabs. Grosjean impressively got on with the job and qualified third in Korea, and was then ordered to hold station when he snapped at the heels of the other Lotus towards the end.

In Japan he was undoubtedly man of the race. He qualified fourth while 2007 champion Raikkonen could only manage 10th – the fifth time he out qualified the fast Finn in seven races.

He was then impressive in leading the race through the first stops despite having a car clearly not up to the pace of the Red Bulls behind him.

Indeed, he would have won had not his tyres gone away during his final stint, with eventual winner Sebastian Vettel post-race praising Romain, calling his race ‘great’ and ‘fantastic’.

RELAXED. Romain Grosjean in relaxed mode between qualifying sessions. Picture: AFP.

Grosjean said he felt proud he had not held up either Red Bull despite having a car clearly not on par.

“I was able to stay ahead without drama, and I did not hold them up,” he said.

Ultimately Grosjean had no chance against the dominant blue cars, which took a one-two via Vettel and Webber to virtually seal both the drivers and constructors championship with four rounds remaining.