Romain Grosjean will remain with Lotus for next season, the team have confirmed.
The Enstone-based team announced on social media that the Frenchman will stay on, meaning that their partnership will continue for a fourth season. The annoucement also sees the team’s lineup remain unchanged with Pastor Maldonado also confirmed to be in the other Lotus seat earlier in the season.
“I’m very pleased, happy and proud to be part of Lotus F1 Team for next year and excited at the prospect of being powered by the Mercedes engine which has looked so strong this year.” Grosjean said in a statement on the team’s website, adding that he felt he and Lotus were a “great combination” and was determined to help the team return to competitive ways.
“The E23 should be a good step forward, building on all the lessons from 2014. I’ve spent a lot of time at the factory working with everyone, and the relationship I have with the team is very strong.
“We’ve had some good moments and tough ones and we always stay together, which makes it even more attractive for the future”
Grosjean had been subjected to a move away from the team as Lotus have endured a low-key campaign at the back end of the grid with struggles for both performance and reliability.
The team lie 8th in the constructors standings and have amassed a small total of 10 points, with Grosjean scoring the vast majority of their points return in Spain and Monaco earlier in the season. Although hopes are pinned on a switch to Mercedes power in 2015 and the experiences of their troubled campaign this year in terms of turning around the team’s fortunes.
“We all now have a much clearer picture of what we are focusing on and avoiding in terms of plans for the E23. We’ve been working on it for quite some time and things seem positive, so I really hope when I get in the car at pre-season testing I get that special feeling when you know it’s going to be a good season”
