F1 News: Haas confirms Romain Grosjean for maiden F1 season

France’s Romain Grosjean is leaving Lotus at the end of the season to become “lead driver” at the new U.S.-owned Haas Formula One team in 2016.

“We wanted an experienced driver capable of developing our vehicle and our race team into one that can score points and better itself each race and each season”.

And while NASCAR has endured its fair share of debate and infighting over the costs of participation and rules packages from year to year, Haas said it doesn’t even come close to the amount of drama generated in Formula One.

“I’ve been involved in motorsport for a long time and learned early on the most crucial component is the driver”.

“What everyone at Haas F1 Team is building is impressive, and I’m very proud to be a part of it”, Grosjean said.

Grosjean’s first time driving for Haas will be during the March 1-4 preseason test at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Several big names are associated with the team already, with Germany’s Gunther Steiner, former technical director at Jaguar and Red Bull Racing, to join as team principal. This also comes with knowledge, he can help develop the vehicle and with set up in ways a rookie driver could not.

The occupant of the second seat at the team has yet to be revealed, and there are high profile candidates linked with it. Ferrari reserve Esteban Gutierrez is one, as is McLaren reserve Kevin Magnussen. “He gives strong, specific feedback as to how the vehicle performs”.

“I discovered the project a few years ago, and got to know a bit more of what they were doing”, he said.

“Our primary goal here is to show that as an American manufacturer that we can compete in the most hard, competitive series in the world of vehicle racing”. Before there can be any talk of Ferrari, Grosjean must take a team that has never started a grand prix and make them competitive. I like the idea of partnership with Ferrari, I am very happy to have made this decision.

Following two seasons on the sidelines, he rejoined Lotus in 2012, and has since recorded 10 podium finishes.

Grosjean returned to GP2 in 2011, first winning the Asia Series championship in its final year of existence and then the GP2 title with a season-best five victories.