The Lotus driver will make his final appearance for the team in Sunday’s Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before he moves to new American team Haas F1 for 2016. He told Graham Caygill yesterday about the change and hoping to sign off in style.
Emotions
Of his feelings on departing the only F1 race he has raced for so far in his career, he said: “Right now I am happy more than anything else, but on Sunday night of course it will be a different story. A lot of different emotions. I have learned a lot here, 83 grand prix together, and it has helped me be ready for the next step, which is Haas, and I am ready for a new challenge.”
Expectations
Grosjean finished fourth in the 2013 race at Yas Marina Circuit, but is not expecting a repeat result on Sunday. “It maybe a little difficult as there are a few slow speed corners, but all we can do is our best, try and work hard on the car,” he said.
Top 10
Grosjean is currently in 11th in the drivers’ standings on 49 points, trailing 10th-place Nico Hulkenberg by three points, while he is level on points with Max Verstappen. Of how important coming out on top in that mini-battle is, the 30 year old said: “It does matter to me as I would like to finish in the top 10. They have a better car than I do, but who know, I will do my best and see what happens.”
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Haas Racing
As to what he hopes to achieve with Haas, the Frenchman said he hopes they can eventually fight for podium finishes. “How long it is going to take I have no idea,” he said. “One year? Two years? Three years? Never? I don’t know, but I think the first aim is to get there and have good races and score points.”
Great heights
Grosjean made headlines in 2013 when he climbed to the top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. “It was a bad idea,” he jokes of the experience. “No, it was unbelievable. If you tell me lets go I would again now. It is hard work, an hour and a half of climbing, but when you get to the top of the tower, wow.”
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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