Grosjean hopes for new chance in F1

The Frenchman made his Formula 1 debut with Renault when he replaced Nelson Piquet Jr. in 2009.

He struggled to make an impression, however, and was unable to find a drive in F1 in 2010.

But on Monday Renault announced Grosjean will be one of the team's reserve drivers, and he is hoping that leads to a race seat in 2012.

"It's a big, big chance for me to be back here," said Grosjean. "The idea was to come back into Formula 1, now my mission is to get a race seat for 2012, so this year is very important in this way.

"I have the chance to be close to the Formula 1 team, to get some more experience and to know them better than before. It's good to be in this way. And the mission will be to get the title in GP2 and be back as a race driver in 2012 in Formula 1."

He added: "Hopefully this is my real chance. The first one, it wasn't a good time, it wasn't a good place, unfortunately. But let's try to get the real chance to have a seat in Formula 1."

Grosjean, who will also be racing in GP2 this year, admitted it was very good to be returning to Renault.

"It feels quite great, there are a lot of people that I really like in the team so it's always good to be back. I can feel that the atmosphere is already not the same as it was.

"There is a fighting, winning spirit inside of the team. When you go to the factory you can really feel it. It's very enjoyable."