Grosjean: Haas was scaring Renault in 2018
- Published on 09 Jan 2019 11:14
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Romain Grosjean says that Haas was scaring Renault throughout the 2018 season, and thinks the Enstone squad should continue to be scared going forward. The two manufacturers were involved in a fight for fourth in the constructors' standings, a battle that Renault won.
Renault ended the season 26 points ahead of Haas in the championship after the latter ran into a number of difficulties throughout the nine months. At the Italian Grand Prix, Renault protested the legality of the Haas car, which was ultimately found to be illegal, disqualifying Grosjean from the classifications.
"I don't think it is a great sportsmanship move," Grosjean said of Renault's Italy protest. "But yes, we were scaring them, which is good. They should be [scared] for the future."
After a steady opening two years for the American squad in F1, Haas jumped to the front of the midfield for the 2019 season. However, Grosjean says a number of things need to be ironed out in order to stay in a similar position in 2019.
"There are few things. One example is that we don't produce parts, so we need to manufacture them outside and sometimes it takes a bit too long. That is one example that I can give out of a few, but that is one. When it would take three days [for them], to our team to do it maybe takes three weeks.
"Like the floor, we didn't have the time to change it for Monza, that was the only thing. The performance gain is zero. Absolutely zero, zero, but we just didn't have the time to do it for Monza and Renault played on it."
Haas will field the same line-up for a third consecutive year next season, with Kevin Magnussen staying at the new outfit alongside Grosjean.
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Replies (8)
Login to replyKean
Posts: 692
Many teams are afraid of Haas, what with all the parts falling off the cars... ;-)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
*Inserts Maximum sass*
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
I wonder, if Grosjean could make the same statement at the end of 2019. Didn't Haas struggle to get the cooling of disc brakes right, without the help of outsiders?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Haas talking themselves up after underachieving massively in 2018. The reality is that more often than not they had the best car of the rest. Certainly better than Renault. But through sheer driver stupidity and some egregious pit wall/crew errors they threw away several points. The protest Renault launched? We'll Haas was non-compliant. They knew that they needed to change the floor for several months. Was there a performance gain? There is no way of knowing from the outside, but I don't see problem with a team calling out another for breaking the rules. Finally, seriously hypocritical for Grosjean to call out Renault when Haas are the ones that tried to sink Force India over legalise regarding the name of the team. Now that's cowardly. Can't beat then on track, so tried to take points away in court.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
As you say, considering how Haas themselves have called out rival designs, I dont think they should be too loud about that move not being sport.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
*legalese no legalise :)
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Afraid of Grosjean crashing into them maybe. He has a point though. Renault need to up their game to beat them this year. That is if Grosjean can stay consistent in finishing races in the points.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well I mean, obviously Grosjean didnt hit them, they hit him. He was just racing along and that wall just jumped into his path suddenly. Was nothing he could do! Dont blame Grosjean, he breathes through his skin!