Lotus confirm Romain Grosjean will drive for the team again in 2015

Frenchman will partner Pastor Maldonado once again at Enstone

By William Esler

Monday 24 November 2014 14:23, UK

Lotus have confirmed Romain Grosjean will remain with the team in 2015 where he will partner Pastor Maldonado.

The Frenchman has driven for the Enstone-based team throughout his F1 career having debuted midway through 2009, before returning full-time in 2012.

The 28-year-old was already under contract to Lotus for next season, but revealed ahead of the United States Grand Prix he was free to leave as performances clauses had not been met.

However, Grosjean has now committed his future to the team and will once again partner Pastor Maldonado whose new deal was confirmed in July.

“It’s fantastic for me to be continuing with Lotus F1 Team for 2015 and it’s superb to have the support of everyone at Enstone,” Grosjean said.

“It’s no secret that we’ve had a really tough season this year, but the team has remained focused and we’re all determined to return to regular points-scoring in 2015.

“I have been spending a lot of time recently at Enstone and I’m feeling very positive about the potential of the E23, which should represent a return to form for the team. We have one race left in 2014 so I’ll be pushing to do the best job possible in Abu Dhabi before my focus switches fully to 2015.”

Lotus switch from Renault to Mercedes power next season and Team Principal Gerard Lopez is hoping the new engine will see Grosjean deliver big things next year.

“It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team alongside Pastor Maldonado next season,” Lopez added.

“You really learn something about a driver when they have the chips against them and Romain has delivered impeccably in 2014 despite the very big challenges he has faced. We know that Romain will always get the most out of the car at his disposal, which is why we can’t wait to harness his potential with Mercedes-Benz power in 2015.”

The news does not come as a shock after Grosjean leaked the news in a hastily deleted tweet a week prior to the announcement.