Official: Romain Grosjean joins Räikkönen at Lotus Renault GP

There were 4 drivers in contention to support the 2007 world champion in the future Enstone single-seater. Vitaly Petrov, a Lotus Renault GP driver since early 2010 and propelled to team leader after Robert Kubica’s accident this winter. Bruno Senna, who replaced Nick Heidfeld in the second half of the year with mixed results. Adrian Sutil, rumored to be leaving Force India after a season end that allowed him to secure 9th place in the driver championship. And Romain Grosjean, the Franco-Swiss driver supported by Total and the latest winner of the GP2 championship and GP2 series.

And it was ultimately the latter who emerged victorious from this struggle, thanks to the support of Eric Boullier and Total, after a long period of uncertainty. While the Russian driver had about ten days to decide on the continuation of his adventure with Lotus Renault GP, statements from his manager only prolonged the doubt. Furthermore, the oil group Total, which was to extend its contract with the Enstone team, decided to include a French Driver clause in the contract, which adds significant weight to the candidacy of the French driver.

After attempting the adventure in 2009 alongside Fernando Alonso in a difficult context following the CrashGate scandal, Romain Grosjean was ejected from F1 before returning in the best way by winning the GP2 Series championship during an undisputed domination, and impressed the team during the free practice sessions in which he participated. The future teammate of Kimi Räikkönen then made a brief statement on the Lotus Renault GP site during the announcement of his official appointment.

« I am very moved to become one of the team’s main drivers in 2012. I already have a big smile at the prospect of being behind the wheel of the car next year. I feel truly privileged to be given this opportunity. Racing alongside a former world champion, who is very determined for his return to Formula 1, will be an extraordinary experience. I am convinced that it will also help me raise my level of performance. I feel that my successful season in the GP2 series has helped me mature a lot and that I am now a much more complete driver than during my first experience in F1. Returning to Enstone as a main driver feels like coming home. I will not disappoint, and I want to thank those without whom this return to F1 would not have been possible. Total and Gravity Sport Management are at the top of the list. »

Eric Boullier, for his part, wished to congratulate the French driver and thank the two outgoing drivers:

« I am delighted to see Romain Grosjean join Kimi next year. Over the past twelve months, Romain has shown a lot of maturity through his victories in GP2 and his progress as our third driver. He impressed us during the free practice sessions he participated in with us in Abu Dhabi and Brazil. I am convinced that retaining him as one of our main drivers will help us in our rebuilding process. I would like to thank Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna for their contribution to the team’s performance this year and wish them all the best for the future.

With this appointment, Romain Grosjean is the second French driver on the 2012 starting grid – Charles Pic having been confirmed at Marussia. There still remains the possibility for Jean-Eric Vergne to join them, this time at Toro Rosso.