Romain Grosjean admits 2016 Haas F1 team move is a career risk

The Frenchman scored 10 podiums during his four-year stint with the Lotus team that will become Renault's works outfit in 2016.

The last four start-up teams to get F1 entries scored just two points between them, with one never even making the grid, two closing and Manor only surviving after a last-minute rescue package for this season.

"It's a risk because you always know what you have and you never know what you are going to get," Grosjean told Autosport.

"But it is the same in life - when you change something, you know what you have and you guess what you're going to have.

"It's not a gamble because I have a bit of information which I wanted to have and I feel absolutely 100 per cent convinced."

Haas has a technical partnership and engine supply deal with Ferrari, while Dallara is responsible for its chassis.

Grosjean is aware the move to Haas will enhance his relationship with Ferrari but insists that is not the primary reason for his decision.

"It's certainly a move which will allow Ferrari to get a view of my data," he said.

"It's getting closer to them than I was.

"But I didn't go to Haas because I want to go to Ferrari.

"I want to go to Haas because i like the project, I like that it is an American team, I like [team owner] Gene [Haas] and [team boss] Gunther [Steiner] and the way they came to F1.

"If it can be successful and we get to Melbourne and we can go to Q3, imagine how big that would be. I want to be part of that."