Romain Grosjean admits his preparations for the start of the season are 'not ideal'
Frenchman heading home as weather forecast improves
Friday 1 March 2013 20:21, UK
Romain Grosjean has admitted his preparations for the start of the season are "not ideal" owing to Lotus's decision to run team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for the final two days of testing.
Lotus's showing so far this winter has set tongues wagging in the paddock that they might be in a position to challenge the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari on a more consistent basis this year. While preferring not to dwell on relative performance at such an early stage, Grosjean did at least say he would be less surprised than he was 12 months ago to line up third on the grid for the Australian Grand Prix. "I don't know about the team but personally I know a little bit more about where we are compared to where we were last year," he added. "Qualifying in Melbourne was a very big surprise to me. I know now that we are somewhere in the four or five-placed cars."
