Haas are doing "very good" in their first F1 season, says Grosjean
Monday 10 October 2016 10:52, UK
Romain Grosjean insists Haas are overachieving in their debut Formula 1 campaign despite only finishing in the points once in the last 10 races.
Grosjean made an incredible start to life with the American team, finishing sixth and fifth in the season's first two Grands Prix, but mechanical faults and a lack of pace have blighted him since.
The Malaysia GP was the latest disappointment for Grosjean and Haas, with the 30-year-old forced to retire after a brake 'explosion' on Lap 8. The former Lotus driver believes this year must be looked at as a success on the whole.
"It's the first year, we're learning, these things happen," he said after his retirement in Sepang. "People forget that it's our first year, we've scored 28 points. Here we were 12th on the grid in front of Renault, in front of Toro Rosso, in front of Sauber, and not far off Williams.
"We are not doing bad for a first season. We are actually doing very good."
Grosjean's radio rants have been a common feature of practice sessions this season, even claiming in Singapore that the VF-16 was one of the worst cars he's ever driven.
Malaysia, however, seemed to welcome a calmer Frenchman, who sought to explain the issues the team have been having in recent months.
"You would expect that we will have some problems," added Grosjean, who has scored all of the squad's points. "And I think we can accept a bit less as the problem comes not from our side but from the suppliers.
"We need to get things right and operate everything correctly and we won't have those problems any more."
