GP Europe: An Arrival Named Romain Grosjean at Renault!

What more could you ask for? A French (Franco-Swiss) within the Renault team, the only French car manufacturer in Formula 1. French-speaking fans have been waiting for this for a few years. Romain Grosjean is therefore the team’s No. 2 driver, with car No. 8. He is primarily the replacement for Nelson Piquet and the new teammate of Fernando Alonso. His task is quite heavy as he must try to score points in order to help the Spaniard in the Constructors’ Championship.

Grosjean has many advantages since he has been with Renault since 2006. He started the 2009 season in GP2 but has followed all the F1 races from the Renault pit as the third driver. His preparation has intensified over the past month, mainly to perfectly train his neck. Finally, he acknowledges that making his F1 debut on the Valencia street circuit is not the easiest. We have two words for Romain Grosjean: ‘Good luck!’

Romain, you will be defending the team’s colors for the remainder of the season. How do you feel about this opportunity?

« I am very happy, of course, and I would like to thank ING Renault F1 Team for giving me this opportunity. I started dreaming about Formula 1 when I was seven or eight years old. I used to watch the battles between Prost and Senna on TV. Making my debut in this category in Valencia is truly a dream come true. »

You’ll be driving for the only French team on the grid, does that hold any special significance for you?

My goal has always been to become an F1 driver, and achieving this goal with a French team is all the more satisfying. Renault has supported me since 2006, and I could only continue racing thanks to their help. We’ve been waiting for a French driver at Renault for quite some time, so there must be quite a strong enthusiasm among fans. I will do my best to prove that Renault was right to trust me.

As a third driver, you have attended all the races this season. Has it been useful for you?

« This has been very useful to me because I was able to familiarize myself with all the team members and their working methods. I have attended all the technical meetings and debriefings over the past six months, and this will certainly help me maximize the opportunity being offered to me. »

You are now the teammate of Fernando Alonso, a double world champion…

« Fernando is truly a great champion – certainly the best driver in Formula One – and I am really looking forward to working with him. We already get along well, and I know I will be able to learn a lot from him and his experience. »

You raced in Valencia in the GP2 Series last year. What do you think of this circuit?

« It’s a mix between an urban circuit and a classic circuit: some parts of the track are very narrow and difficult to negotiate, while other areas are much wider and offer plenty of run-off. It’s not the easiest circuit to make your F1 debut on, but I’ve always loved urban tracks and I really appreciate being in the middle of a city; the atmosphere is very special.

How did you prepare for your first Grand Prix?

« I tried to prepare myself as normally as possible but I focused on training my neck muscles. Compared to GP2, Formula One is more demanding on this part of the body. I also took some vacation this summer to be ready for Valencia. »

What are your ambitions for this weekend?

« I have only driven the R29 during straight-line tests, so my first race will truly be a learning experience. It’s hard to set objectives; my priority will be to get familiar with the car and feel comfortable and confident with it. I will do everything I can for the team. »

According to a statement from the Renault F1 Team