Romain Grosjean remained coy when asked today about where his future in Formula 1 lies, with the Frenchman believing that Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso holds the key to the driver market for the 2015 season.
Despite stating in an interview this week that he is not actively looking to leave Ferrari, Alonso is known to be a target for McLaren ahead of its new partnership with Honda in 2015.
For Grosjean, a move away from Lotus may be possible given that he is without a firm contract for next season, but he said that there has not been much discussion up to now.
“It’s been quite quiet. So far, nothing crazy,” he said when asked about any movement on his future.
“I think you have to wait for Ferrari and probably Alonso. From them, the market will move.
“I’m sure you’re aware as much as I am, if not more, and so far nothing has moved much. You can always speculate. From what I know, everyone has a contract in the other big teams. Alonso is the key of the market.”
Grosjean confirmed that his management has been in preliminary talks with other teams, but nothing surefire had been decided.
“There are always talks and that’s for the managers,” he said. “Yes, there have been a few talks, but so far you just have to wait.”
As for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix? Grosjean does not think that Lotus can expect to be fighting too far forward at Monza, given that the high-speed nature of the circuit will exploit the major weaknesses of the E22 car.
“I don’t think there’s much we can do,” he said. “We have special wings for here, we have new updates from the power unit side, so we’re gonna do our best.
“Top speed hasn’t been a strength for the E22, and low speed corners neither, so this is the worst of both worlds. On paper, it’s not going to be an easy one, but it’s always our job to try and get the best and see what it brings.”
Grosjean’s career has turned around 180º over the past eighteen months. At Silverstone last year, Mark Webber coined the verb “Grosjeaned”, meaning to crash into after an incident at the first corner. However, he has since flourished, scoring five podium finishes in the second half of last season.
In 2014, he has clearly struggled with the troublesome E22 car, but has been Lotus’ team leader. If Ferrari does indeed part company with Alonso, Grosjean is a serious option for the Italian marque to consider.