Romain Grosjean is aiming for a top 10 starting position in the German Grand Prix after another strong Friday in Haas’s original specification VF-19.
The team is running his car in the aerodynamic specification used at the Australian Grand Prix, as it did at Silverstone. Grosjean ended second practice in sixth place, seven-tenths of a second off Charles Leclerc’s pace-setting Ferrari.“The race one package is very, very good,” said Grosjean. “I think it’s very positive that the boys know what to do when it’s about designing the car.
“Yes, the latest update seems to be a bit more challenging and we need to understand why. But we’ve proven again that we know how to do a car so that’s very positive.
“There are some limitations that we’re well aware [of] on that package and we need to work on. But definitely it’s been a surprise to be that quick and exciting at the same time.”
Grosjean says the car gives him much more confidence to “really push it” to its limits. “In the high-speed corners it’s there and you can play with it. In the low-speed the entry phase is outstanding.
“Yes, there’s limitations at the front and the understeer mid-corner. Traction is quite good. It’s more the high-speed stuff and the entry stability which is outstanding.”
At Silverstone Grosjean dropped out in Q2 after his tyre blankets were set to the wrong temperature. He believes the team can target Q3 tomorrow despite the expected cooler conditions at the track.
“We’ll see [about] the weather but definitely after today I think we should hope for Q3, and hope we can understand what’s the difference between that one and the new package and move forward.”
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Debra
26th July 2019, 19:10
Well, let’s hope the team mates avoid each other on Sunday.
svianna (@svianna)
26th July 2019, 19:40
We know how to design a car? But we don’t know how to design upgrades? Romain, you are toasted. Too many mistakes, silly mistakes, Baku 2018, Silverstone pit exit 2019, etc…you are on your way out of HAAS and there is no amount of “fake positivity” that will keep you at Haas in 2020. Maybe sooner.
Bon chance and au revoir.
Martin
26th July 2019, 20:50
Dumb take.
nase
27th July 2019, 0:28
Yeah
Andy Bunting (@wildbiker)
27th July 2019, 9:20
Excited Grosjean? That alone fills me with sense of dread.
His “excitable” moments previously have led to ridiculous & catastrophic errors.
CrashJeans has to be right up there with SeeBashem’s massive screw ups.
Bookies have cancelled all bets connected with which one of those 2 bins it first on Sunday!
There are still massively long odds available on them taking each other out!
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
27th July 2019, 9:43
Let’s see what Roman can do then. I don’t think he’s anywhere near as bad as some of the comments we see on here would have us believe.
On a good day, which I admit are quite rare, he can be a really fast, competent driver.
bosyber (@bosyber)
27th July 2019, 10:22
Indeed @phil-f1-21, would be good to see one of those weekends where Grosjean shows he’s good.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
27th July 2019, 16:06
@bosyber
Well he seems to have made a good start! 6th on the grid for tomorrow.