08/01/2013
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
Romain Grosjean has let slip that Lotus intends to launch its new car before the end of January, despite no official word from the team.
"The next few weeks for me will be intense training, with the presentation of the new car at the end of the month," Grosjean told Stade 2 television in France. "Then I will have six days of testing in February (ahead of) the beginning of the season in March."
Grosjean was the subject of intense criticism during 2012, becoming the first driver since 1994 to receive a race ban after triggering a mass collision at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix. However the 26-year-old believes despite his controversial return to the sport, having debuted with and subsequently dumped by Renault in 2010, he has learned from the first lap mistakes that plagued him last year.
"I do not think winning at all costs is the goal, because the dream is to become world champion one day," he said. "Of course, it is true that you have to win races to be champion, but I must be careful not to mistake the goal.
"That's what got me the nickname 'first lap nutcase' last year but even that must be taken in context. Mark (Webber) said it straight out of the car in Japan, with all the adrenaline of the race still inside him. I apologised which is the most I can do.
"I am not crazy. I am aware of the risks and I have worked hard to correct my mistakes. Over the last five races I didn't have any other problems and there is no reason to believe that I will have anymore (this year)."
Grosjean was confirmed alongside Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus for 2013 in December, just days after winning the solo event at the annual Race of Champions in Bangkok.