Grosjean Confirmed as Second Lotus Renault Driver

As per the BBC Sports website. No place for Senna or Petrov. I guess Petrov had his outburst because he knew he was going...

I don't know what it is about Grosjean but I just can't stand him, especially that stupid grin he's been showcasing the last couple of weeks. When he was in F1 before, I personally thought he was shocking and got completely destroyed by Alonso and we all know what happened in Singapore. I don't see how taking a couple of years out has made him a faster and less error prone driver, add in the fact he's up against Kimi just doesn't bode well for Romain. Holding the GP2 title and the GP2 Asian Series is an achievement but it guarantees nothing in F1 which is a considerable step up in class. It appears Petrov will return in 2014 for Sochi GP in Mother Russia

Has a Russian company brought into a F1 team, maybe Virgin, im sure this will come with Vitaly as part of the deal.

If Robert is fit, say mid way through the season, what will Lotus do? I'm only asking as I read rumours that Scuderia have signed Robert for 2013!

Demon Racer wrote:If Robert is fit, say mid way through the season, what will Lotus do? I'm only asking as I read rumours that Scuderia have signed Robert for 2013!

Despite what people say Kubica's Lotus contract runs out at the end of the month. So if he's fit someone point during the season he can go where he wants.

fernando wrote:

Demon Racer wrote:If Robert is fit, say mid way through the season, what will Lotus do? I'm only asking as I read rumours that Scuderia have signed Robert for 2013!

Despite what people say Kubica's Lotus contract runs out at the end of the month. So if he's fit someone point during the season he can go where he wants.

So Scuderia could jettison Massa whenever Robert is fully fit....

Pretty much say he gets fit around British GP time put Robert in til end of season to get back up to fitness for 2013

I bet Kubica doesnt come back to F1 in any form before 2013.

as the days and the months tick on, something tells me that we won't be seeing Kubica back in a Formula one car. The lack of information, Renault's clear frustration and no real progress heard of, its just concerning.

Fair play to Grosjean, in my opinion he deserves another crack of the whip. He has obviously matured, GP2 Champion and Asian Champion and has improved vastly. Its unlikely he will give Kimi any massive headaches, but we shall see. We know who is number uno in that team.

I think Senna should have been allowed a little more time, at least give him a season to see how he performs over all.

So where is Petrov going?

Critical_mass wrote:So where is Petrov going?

Mother Russia! No I fully expect Petrov to have a year out and then rejoin F1 in 2013 probably with Marussia. With the Russian GP at Sochi confirmed for 2014 this would be a positive move for both parties.

Kentyf1 wrote:as the days and the months tick on, something tells me that we won't be seeing Kubica back in a Formula one car. The lack of information, Renault's clear frustration and no real progress heard of, its just concerning.

The lack of any progression news on Robert could be because Robert's team don't want to raise expectations too high. With what Fernando said, about Robert being out of contract, its not really Lotus' place to release ant developments on Robert.

I think he's quite good, but not great. He came in midway through 2009 in a rubbish car barely capable of points of merit. With a full winter testing and input on the car he should do well. Petrov and Senna are average, not race winners anyway..

Personally I rated Petrov higher than Grosjean. Still if its a clash of personalities, or a matter of money, then driving ability tends not to come into the equation.

I would think Kimi will be sleeping very soundly.

I agree, Petrov definately better than Grosjean, i dont see the logic here to be honest. Why replace Petrov with Grosjean?