Haas F1 driver Grosjean apologises for "elephant in room" remark on his future

The Frenchman's contract runs out at the end of this year and he suggested ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix that an "elephant in the room" over his future was that Haas may not continue.

Those remarks annoyed team principal Gunther Steiner, who said it was not right that a driver should comment on such matters.

"I think his answer was the wrong answer," Steiner told Sky F1 last weekend.

"Because he was asked what he is doing, and he spoke for the team. I think the elephant is in his room, not in our room.

"We know what we want to do, and if we are here or not, that will be just decided once we sign the new Concorde [Agreement]. Everything is on the way that this will happen."

In the wake of the events, Grosjean has now said sorry for his behaviour - as he ruled out the prospect of the situation becoming another point of drama in F1's Netflix series that has followed Haas closely.

"I'm sorry if I said anything wrong," he said.

"I didn't want to create anything. So, no, there's no Netflix episodes, there is no problem.

"I said something that I shouldn't have said, and then... you know, I'm sorry for the team. And all good."

Steiner said he was not too angry over what Grosjean said, but more amazed that his driver has chosen to bring the subject up.

"I mean, I was never upset about it," he explained.

"You know me. I react to something and I get over things pretty quick. I mean, I'm not upset. It was just like... I was amazed when I read it, because I wasn't there obviously.

"So I asked, but I'm fine with him. I have no problem.

"If I get anybody mad if I say something not appropriate, I would have everybody mad at me, but I get over things pretty quick.

"I think he realised. It was a tough question and he answered in a way, maybe, after thinking he didn't want to answer.

"And he didn't maybe mean what he said, you know. I have no problem."