Lotus could dump Grosjean
While Grosjean's pace is undoubted, his second stint in F1 has been increasingly dogged by controversy – and crashes. In total, the Frenchman has been embroiled in seven first-lap accidents in fourteen races this season and was handed the first race suspension in almost twenty years after sparking a five-car pile-up in Spa. And now, following his latest indiscretion, which saw him ram into the side of Mark Webber's Red Bull in Suzuka, it appears as if Grosjean has been forced to enter the last-chance saloon.
Whilst Boullier has always publicly backed Grosjean, it is clear the 26-year-old must cut out the errors in the remaining five races if he is to be certain of a seat for 2013.
Asked if he could justify retaining Grosjean on current form, Boullier replied: "I will tell you that obviously by the end of the season. We are now a couple of races to go through and make sure he understands the message and he's delivering at the start what we expect him to deliver.
"I think the kid has the speed and obviously if you look at the global picture of this season and if you fix this issue at the start of the race he did a very decent job and he will deserve to have another chance in Formula 1, at least longer term."
Intriguingly, Boullier also claims he's already seen a big change in the Grosjean's attitude since the criticism at Suzuka just six day ago.
"I have to say Romain since Suzuka, or even before let's say, has drastically changed and got more matured."