Romain Grosjean puts Haas F1 back in the points on home soil
This weekend was a big one for the Haas F1 Team, and fortunately they were able to deliver.
While Esteban Gutierrez failed to finish the race due to a mechanical issue, the team’s French driver Romain Grosjean crossed the line in 10th place in his 100th race. It marked a somewhat overdue return to the points for Haas F1, in its first race on home soil.
“It was a long time we didn’t score anything,” admitted Grosjean. “I think it was eight races, so this is good for the guys, they deserve it.”
Grosjean had started from 17th on the grid, having failed to advance out of the first session in qualifying. After a chaotic opening lap at the back of the field, he found himself in 14th at the end of Lap 1, and then used an “aggressive” two-stop strategy to make it to the line in 10th.
“Certainly not qualified where we wanted, 17th, but we made a great, aggressive strategy trying to overtake as many cars as we could.
“We were lucky that a few cars retired in front of us but, in the end, we needed to finish the race.”
While Grosjean was pleased to score points in front of the team’s home fans, and hopes to score points in the remaining races of the season, he emphasizes that the team’s main focus now is working on improving the car for next season.
“The idea, if we’re eighth in the championship this year, is to be seventh or better next year,” explained Grosjean. “We don’t want to be where we are in the first year, we want to improve, and a lot of people are expecting us to struggle next year, but I have a lot of faith in the people working back in the factory and in the team that we are.”
Meanwhile, Grosjean confesses that due to the loudness of the engine, he couldn’t hear the fans in Austin, but he was all too aware of their support.
“I think I read from Lewis that he could hear the crowd when he crossed the line, either he was in neutral or I’ve got bad hearing,” laughed Grosjean. “But it was great to see the banners and then, after the race, I went in the garage to say thanks to the guys, and the fans were in the pits in a straight line and they cheered for us so it was great.”
