Lotus F1 driver Grosjean braced for more FP1 frustration in 2016
Lotus driver Romain Grosjean is steeling himself for another season of sitting on the sidelines while Formula 1's first-practice sessions unfold
Grosjean has made no secret this year of his unhappiness at as the team provide reserve Jolyon Palmer with plenty of time at the wheel of the E23.
With Grosjean and team-mate Pastor Maldonado both under contract for next year, Lotus could well take the same approach with Palmer in 2016.
Speaking to AUTOSPORT about the prospect of continuing to miss FP1 sessions, Grosjean said: "There are days when there are no choices available and you just take it as it comes, accept it and deal with it.
"This year when they told me I would have to give up 10 FP1 sessions I was really pissed off, and I told them it was not fair, and so on.
"But this is just the way it is, you accept it and at the end you say that without it the team would probably not run.
"If it's the same line-up again next year I don't think I would have any influence in what happens."
Having missing out on crucial set-up work in the opening 90 minutes at various events, Grosjean says he is proud of how he has responded.
"Come the end of FP2 it's kind of satisfying to finish ahead of your team-mate, or be top five, as has been the case in a few events recently," he said.
"The relationship I have with my engineers makes all this possible, and means we can concentrate on everything.
"Of course you're going to miss a little bit here and there, it's never going to be perfect, not unless you get lucky and everything you try works together at the same time.
"But I think in general we're going a good job."
Grosjean has gone on to finish in the points on five occasions this season, with a best finish of seventh in China, Bahrain, and most recently Hungary.
It is a stark improvement on 2014, when Grosjean finished eighth twice in Spain and Monaco, which proved to be the only occasions he claimed a top-10 place.
"It's definitely big step from last year, with the car from day one very much better," Grosjean surmised.
"We've missed some opportunities and had a few troubles, but in general we've been working well together getting the best out of the car most of the time."
Toro Rosso's F1 season "deeply frustrating" so far
How Jordan laid its foundations in 1990
Why WTR Acura lacked pace to beat MSR in Daytona 24 showdown
Filipe Albuquerque admits that he knew it would be a tall order for Wayne Taylor Racing to overcome sister Acura squad Meyer Shank Racing in last weekend's Daytona 24 Hours.
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
After much anticipation, the new dawn for sportscar racing got underway with a result that mirrored last year's IMSA SportsCar Championship's season-opener run to the previous DPi rules. Here's how Acura once again took top honours in the Daytona 24 Hours with a 1-2 led by Meyer Shank Racing, as the new GTP class for LMDh hybrid prototypes made its bow
Alonso's pushy trait a boost for me in 2023 F1 season, says Stroll
Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll says Fernando Alonso's pushy nature will be a boost to both him and the squad this year.
Porsche aims to “learn quick” from Daytona 24 Hours disappointment
Porsche’s director of factory racing Urs Kuratle says his team will gain valuable answers from its disappointing results in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.