Lotus set to announce Grosjean for 2015 (3rd Update)
The Enstone-based squad have made no secret of the fact that they want to retain Grosjean, who admitted at Interlagos over the weekend that both parties are close to concluding a deal.
The 28-year-old took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce he is "Proud to announce I'll be racing with@Lotus_F1Team in #2015" but it was deleted quickly afterwards.
Lotus have already confirmed Pastor Maldonado for the 2015 campaign.
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| Romain Grosjean rumored to be re-signed by Lotus |
11/07/14 (GMM) Lotus is set to announce that Romain Grosjean is staying with the Enstone team in 2015.
Just a week ago, the Frenchman was saying he had the power to step out of his contract and move to a bigger team.
But a lot – albeit all apparently behind the scenes – has changed in the intervening days, including reports that Fernando Alonso is definitely heading to McLaren-Honda.
Asked where he will be in 2015, Grosjean smiled his famous smile to France's RMC as he answered: "I will have a different engine!
"You should know more about my future very soon, maybe even as early as this weekend," he added in the Interlagos paddock.
Grosjean denied, however, that the Alonso situation had made his own plans certain.
"I do not think it has something to do with it," he said. "In fact, now it is not easy to find a place at all in formula one — it is a difficult situation for the drivers with two teams (Caterham and Marussia) going away, but for me everything is going well.
"We are very close. I'm in a good position in the team," he added.
Elsewhere, Force India and Sergio Perez are on the verge of prolonging their marriage, while Jean-Eric Vergne is set to get one more year at Toro Rosso.
Another open secret is that Sebastian Vettel is going to Ferrari to replace Alonso.
"When the cameras are on," the German smiled on Thursday, "it is difficult to say anything, "but when they turn off, everyone seems to know what is going on."
Vettel took his Red Bull crew out for a farewell dinner in downtown Sao Paulo on Wednesday night, but he admitted to reporters that he will not be sad when the curtain comes down on his difficult 2014 campaign.
As for 2015, "I know what I'm doing, that's for sure," Vettel insisted. "And I know who my teammate will be."
It appears likely he is referring to his friend Kimi Raikkonen, but the Finn's high-profile struggles in 2014 have produced a cloud of speculation.
"Everyone has his own opinion," Raikkonen told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3. "Many times we have seen that they are wrong.
"It is the way it is here (in F1)," he said. "It is probably the saddest thing about formula one.
"The main thing is that you know yourself how things are and to trust in what you are doing," said Raikkonen.
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| That Fernando Alonso is one silly guy. And the silly Spaniard continues to dominate headlines in this silliest of F1 Silly Seasons. |
11/02/14 As you may have read in today’s Latest F1 news in brief on the AR1 Hot News page, Lotus F1 team owner Gerard Lopez noted that a Fernando Alonso return to Enstone would not surprise him.
Lotus, of course has the very well-funded Pastor Maldonado under contract for 2015, with Romain Grosjean’s status still to be determined. As for Alonso, questions surrounding his as yet undetermined 2015 status, have dominated headlines for over a month now.
Now, on the surface it might seem Alonso would want little to do with Lotus. The team has experienced a number of well-documented financial issues in the last year, and is currently ranked 8th in the Constructors Standings. However, in an odd way, it may make sense for the Spaniard.
For one, Lotus is ditching the woeful Renault power-unit in favor of the superior Mercedes in 2015. Plus, Lotus would likely be more amenable to the one-year deal Alonso so covets in the hopes he can pursue a Mercedes deal in 2016. McLaren, who Alonso has been most linked to is said to have balked at the two-time World Champion’s request for a one-year deal. At the very least, Alonso may be keeping the lines of communication open at Lotus for the simple reason of making sure McLaren knows there is another bidder in play.
And what might this mean for Grosjean?
It could mean the Frenchman is the odd man out in this most silly of Silly Seasons. But it could also open up the door for Grosjean to pursue a ride at McLaren, should team boss Ron Dennis and Honda want to move on from Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen.
But as AR1 told you below, this we can say: it appears Grosjean’s 2015 status hinges on what happens with Alonso. Stay tuned to AR1 for more.
AR1 Staff Report
10/31/14 As you likely read in AR1's Friday Latest F1 news in brief Lotus' Romain Grosjean noted yesterday that he has an exit clause with the Enstone team. While numerous reports have suggested Grosjean returning to the team are a done deal, it appears the Frenchman might be weighing his options.
In particular, Grosjean is likely waiting to see where his former Renault teammate Fernando Alonso lands. There has been significant speculation surrounding the Spaniard's 2015 plans, as Sebastian Vettel is expected to take his place at Ferrari. The smart money has been on Alonso headed to McLaren to lead Honda's return to F1 in 2015. For more see AR1 columnist Brian Carroccio's article on Alonso.
Of course, Alonso is keeping everyone guessing.
And with former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali having signed with Audi recently some are wondering whether Alonso would join a factory-based Audi effort for 2016? Or with the recent financial difficulties in Formula One and the revelation that teams may run third cars in 2015, is Alonso still clinging to hope that he may be in a Mercedes-powered car after all?
For what it's worth, we at AR1 say Alonso is going to McLaren. The Spaniard overplayed and was blindsided by the news of Vettel going to Ferrari. Simply out, Alonso has not other options in Formula One, presuming all teams remain at two cars.
As for Grosjean, he likely knows this. Also, he has to be pleased with the news that Lotus has confirmed they will use Mercedes-power in 2015. But with a possible opening at McLaren, and the possibility of joining the de facto Honda factory effort, or perhaps the possibility of joining another top-flight team with third cars potentially in play for 2015, Grosjean is probably wise to bide his time.
AR1 Staff Report