Grosjean to leave Lotus for Haas F1 team

French driver Romain Grosjean, winless in five Formula One seasons, was named Tuesday as the new driver for the Haas F1 Team that will enter the series next year.

The first American-led F1 entry in 30 years has an experienced driver as 29-year-old Grosjean, with 10 podiums in 78 F1 races, announced his departure from the financially struggling Lotus squad at the team's North Carolina headquarters.

"It would have been easy to stay there," Grosjean said. "But I want to win races and I want to win championships and I have taken a step in a good direction to achieve that."

Grosjean, whose only podium since 2013 was a third-place effort last month at the Belgian Grand Prix, has two runner-up F1 showings, at the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix and 2013 US Grand Prix.

"We're kind of surprised to get a driver of his experience to the team and he's going to work a lot harder than he thinks," team founder and chairman Gene Haas said.

"With Romain, his maturity will lend itself to us being able to progress as a team. He's a bright young person so I think he's going to help a lot."

Haas, a long-time owner in the US stock car series, says extra planning time in the development of the team and car will help his team avoid the same fate as three past US-based F1 failures.

"Our strategy is different from what those teams faced," he said. "They had a time constraint. They had six months to put a whole team together. What tripped up the previous teams is they didn't allow enough time to build their cars. We're taking quite a bit more time to get our car prepared.

"My primary purpose here is to show that as an American manufacturer we can compete in the most competitive car racing series in the world. Whatever it takes to get that right car on the grid is what we're looking for."

Lotus reacted by noting this season is not yet complete, Tweeting, "It's been a wild ride RGrosjean and we have a bit to go still!"

Grosjean tweeted out the news as the announcement was made, saying, "Really happy and proud to be racing for Haas F1 from 2016 onwards. A new great and very exciting challenge.Taking a decision about your future isn't easy. I'd like to thank my family and friends for their support. Proud of our choice!

"And finally all my love to Enstone. It has been an honor to race for such a strong and united team. A lot of memories that I'll never forget."

Grosjean said he spoke with team principal Guenther Steiner and was impressed with Haas plans.

"What Gene Haas and everyone at Haas F1 Team is building is impressive and I’m very proud to be part of it," Grosjean said. "Formula One is incredibly competitive and the only way to succeed is by finding new ways of doing things. This is a new opportunity with a new team that is taking a very different approach to Formula One. I believe in their approach and they believe in me.

"While I am committed to giving my absolute best to my current team in these last five races, I am very excited for what the future holds."

The Frenchman will first drive with Haas next March 1-4 at a pre-season test on Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya with a second test at the Spanish layout March 15-18 before the 2016 season opener on April 3 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Source: AFP