Grosjean to Renault
Posted by danm
[f1.gpupdate.net]
We all saw it coming!
Romain Grosjean will make his Formula One debut racing alongside Fernando Alonso in this weekend's European Grand Prix. The Frenchman, reserve driver for the team, will make the step up the motorsport ladder from GP2 and fills the vacant seat previously occupied by Nelson Piquet.
With Brazilian Piquet's Renault F1 career having ended in a words with team principal Flavio Briatore, Grosjean's place alongside the former double Champion was announced on Monday morning after the team won its Monday appeal to race this weekend.
Grosjean has been part of Renault's Driver Development (RDD) programme for five years and is currently second for Campos in the GP2 championship standings to Nico Hulkenberg after leading earlier this season.
"I am very proud that the Renault F1 Team has given me the chance to become a race driver," 23-year-old Grojean said. "I'm looking forward to driving the R29 and helping the team get the best results possible. It's also an honour to be Fernando's team-mate and to make my Formula One debut alongside a double World Champion is especially motivating."
Brazil's Lucas di Grassi retakes his third driver duties as Grosjean moves up the team
Lucas di Grassi returns to the team to take over reserve driver duties, meaning he will be slotted into a race seat should either Alonso or Grosjean be unable to compete.
"We are happy to give Romain the chance to start racing with the team," added team principal Briatore. "He is an impressive young talent and we expect him to show his skills driving alongside Fernando as we take an aggressive approach to the second half of the season. We would also like to thank Nelson for his contribution during the time he has been with us and wish him all the best for the future."
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2009 08:15PM by danm.
We all saw it coming!
Romain Grosjean will make his Formula One debut racing alongside Fernando Alonso in this weekend's European Grand Prix. The Frenchman, reserve driver for the team, will make the step up the motorsport ladder from GP2 and fills the vacant seat previously occupied by Nelson Piquet.
With Brazilian Piquet's Renault F1 career having ended in a words with team principal Flavio Briatore, Grosjean's place alongside the former double Champion was announced on Monday morning after the team won its Monday appeal to race this weekend.
Grosjean has been part of Renault's Driver Development (RDD) programme for five years and is currently second for Campos in the GP2 championship standings to Nico Hulkenberg after leading earlier this season.
"I am very proud that the Renault F1 Team has given me the chance to become a race driver," 23-year-old Grojean said. "I'm looking forward to driving the R29 and helping the team get the best results possible. It's also an honour to be Fernando's team-mate and to make my Formula One debut alongside a double World Champion is especially motivating."
Brazil's Lucas di Grassi retakes his third driver duties as Grosjean moves up the team
Lucas di Grassi returns to the team to take over reserve driver duties, meaning he will be slotted into a race seat should either Alonso or Grosjean be unable to compete.
"We are happy to give Romain the chance to start racing with the team," added team principal Briatore. "He is an impressive young talent and we expect him to show his skills driving alongside Fernando as we take an aggressive approach to the second half of the season. We would also like to thank Nelson for his contribution during the time he has been with us and wish him all the best for the future."
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2009 08:15PM by danm.
Predictable, yep. Let's see how he goes. If he manages to do better than Piquet did it won't look good for Nelsinho.
Yeah, was pretty inevitable, let's see how he goes this weekend, will be quite a jump for him, but Alguersuari has shown that it's not an impossible one.
Theres no doubt he's got speed but will be able to pull a weekend together without a coming together with a wall or another car?
Unlike Jamie this guys got experience in the car, albeit last years car and a few straightline tests in this car, but he really shouldnt be more than 3/4 tenths of Alonso.
Renault obviously think he's ready for the jump up...
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
Unlike Jamie this guys got experience in the car, albeit last years car and a few straightline tests in this car, but he really shouldnt be more than 3/4 tenths of Alonso.
Renault obviously think he's ready for the jump up...
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
I don't see Roman doing anything good, unless he crashes the lap after Alonso makes a pitstop 
. He's only being pulled up due to his nationality.
. He's only being pulled up due to his nationality.About time, I hope he can impress, I watched him in gp2 last year and in the start of the year asian series he was fab and good to watch!
DJSKYLINE Wrote:
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> About time, I hope he can impress, I watched him
> in gp2 last year and in the start of the year
> asian series he was fab and good to watch!
Agreed, I watched him in GP2 last year too and thought he showed real potential as a driver.
He won't find it easy though, in Flav's team with Fernando as his teammate.
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> About time, I hope he can impress, I watched him
> in gp2 last year and in the start of the year
> asian series he was fab and good to watch!
Agreed, I watched him in GP2 last year too and thought he showed real potential as a driver.
He won't find it easy though, in Flav's team with Fernando as his teammate.
Romain will understand what is the teams atmosphere out their, wondering why the hell alonso's got bunch of engineers fixing his problem, whlist his was none. hahah
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