Romain Grosjean is suspended for Monza
After the first corner accident and a summons by the panel of stewards, Romain Grosjean is suspended for one race and will have to pay a fine of 50,000 euros. Lotus has not yet announced who will be in the seat at Monza next weekend.
It is a clearly dejected Romain Grosjean who appeared before the journalists after the officials’ decision was communicated to the team: “I am excluded from the next race and I receive a 50,000 euro fine. Even in auto racing, it can feel like the sky is falling on you. Now I accept my mistake. It’s a very harsh penalty. We know that La Source is known for being a rather chaotic turn, and the start was the same with Kobayashi’s car having smoking brakes and then Maldonado jumping the start,” explains Grosjean in front of the journalists present in the Lotus motorhome.
« I thought I was clearly ahead of Lewis. There was no intentional steering on my part. I moved to the right to close the door and get ahead of Lewis. I really thought I was ahead of him, but that wasn’t the case. I misjudged the speed difference between the two cars. I apologized to him. I hope Fernando is okay; I haven’t seen him yet, » added the Frenchman.
Same attitude regarding Eric Boullier who accepts the decision made by the stewards: « It’s a decision made by the stewards and we respect it. I understand the decision, I consider it harsh, so I respect it. »
The team therefore does not intend to appeal even though, as the FIA’s statement reminds, they have the right to do so. « I find it would be rather inappropriate. A decision has been made regarding an accident, and I don’t see why we would appeal. If we look back, there have already been similar cases, » states the Team Principal of the British team.
The seat of the Lotus number 10 is therefore available for the Italian Grand Prix, and it is more than likely that Jérôme D’Ambrosio will be called to replace Grosjean alongside Kimi Räikkönen. It will be announced in due time, but in principle, since he is the third driver, concluded Eric Boullier.
From our correspondent in Spa-Francorchamps.
