F1: Grosjean Shows His Class In Bahrain

Formula 1

F1: Grosjean Shows His Class In Bahrain

French Lotus driver claims first podium...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted April 22, 2012 Manana (BHR)

French driver Romain Grosjean celebrates on the podium at Bahrain International Circuit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Romain Grosjean confirmed that he is a potential race winner this year with a strong drive to third in Bahrain.

The French Lotus driver started seventh and jumped up to fourth at the start, before passing Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton to get into second. Later he lost out to team mate Kimi Raikkonen – who had fresher tires for most of the race – but nevertheless it was a great drive to his first podium.

His race was determined by the first lap.

“I think we are doing some pretty good starts since the beginning, except Melbourne,” said Grosjean. “Malaysia, China and here we have some very good starts. I think it was important for me to be straight up to the front. Then I have to say that I really enjoyed the first stint, the car was fantastic on the option and I could overtake Mark Webber and then Lewis Hamilton.

“I thought I would come back a little bit on Sebastian and then we choose to go for the prime on the second stint, and it appears that there was a little bit less grip, it was more difficult and Kimi was behind me. He passed me and then the tires went away.

“I think the last two stints were pretty good, our car was feeling good, the team can be proud of what they did because with this season so tight between cars it’s very difficult to be at the front and we have two cars on the podium which is extremely good. We’re working very hard as well, trying some new pieces – the old and new and seeing what is the best – but it’s always difficult.

“Tires, as you know, are going away quite quickly and it doesn’t give you much free practice time but our podium feels pretty good and I think it will feel even better when I’m on the plane home and take one or two days to relax before going to the factory and working and trying to get a better car for the next race.”

Grosjean said the season is impossible to predict.

“Who is able to tell who will be World Champion? I think it’s like it’s never been before. Q2 in China was incredible - 10 cars in three tenths or eleven cars. It’s just amazing and it just depends who is bringing new updates, but I think the season will be how it is so far and you will have to get the last hundredths and the last tenths to get on the podium.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.