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Grosjean was more worried about Haas F1 exit in '18 than this year

Romain Grosjean says he was more worried about being dropped by the Haas Formula 1 team last year than he is in 2019 for clashes with team-mate Kevin Magnussen

Grosjean's contract expires at the end of 2019, having recovered from a string of high-profile errors during '18 to earn a one-year deal, while Magnussen was retained on a two-year contract.

Haas is set to impose team orders on Grosjean and Magnussen after the pair again made contact during the German Grand Prix to make it three occasions in which the two have clashed during 2019.

Team principal Gunther Steiner said on Thursday in Hungary that dropping one of its drivers in the middle of the season would be "desperate", but there is uncertainty over the future of the pair.

Asked if he felt his future at the team was being jeopardised by clashes with Magnussen, Grosjean said: "I was more worried last year than this year.

"Last year there were a lot of reasons that [meant] I could have ended up [having] this year at home. I did many mistakes that I shouldn't have done with my experience. But I think since then I have recovered pretty well.

"I think everything we have been saying this year - the eye-opener for the guys on reverting to the old spec car, because I asked - shows that experience is very important in Formula 1.

"Everything in the team has now changed. The focus is on the different parts and how we make sure we improve the car, rather than we just put upgrades without really knowing where we are.

"The races, I'm happy with my performance. I think in qualifying I could have been better earlier in the year but now it's back to where it was.

"As I said, last year there were many reasons, to be frank, to stay home. This year I guess there are many less."

Grosjean and Magnussen have both said their relationship off-track is better than it appears on track.

Magnussen said: "I think in the heat of the moment, we're blaming each other on the radio and stuff like that - but what people don't see is that we get together between the races and talk it through, and try to be constructive and move on.

"Apart from those incidents on track, I feel that we have a pretty good working relationship. And actually, Romain is a cool guy, and we have a good time when we go to work.

"So, it's being blown out of proportion a little bit. I know you guys love a bit of conflict and stuff like that, but it isn't as bad as it looks."

Grosjean added: "People could think that it doesn't look good but the relationship with Kevin is really good.

"We phone each other once a week or so. We sat down and said, 'what can we do better', just to make sure that's not happening again."

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