Grosjean happy to bounce back after ‘sh*t’ comments

Romain Grosjean feels his fourth-place finish in last Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix is a good way to bounce back against criticism following his point-less start to the 2018 Formula 1 season.

Following a rough patch of form in the opening eight races of the season that left him as one of only two drivers not to score any points, Grosjean responded in fashion by recording Haas’ best finish in F1 to date in Austria, crossing the line fourth ahead of teammate Kevin Magnussen.

Haas team boss Gunther Steiner hoped Grosjean’s result would be the catalyst for an improved showing through the remainder of the season, and the Frenchman took heart from the way in which he had responded to criticism laid against him.

“The mindset needs to stay the same as it was in Austria, as it worked pretty well. It’s about focusing on what you can do and your own best job,” Grosjean said.

“Obviously the season started and we got some bad luck in the first three or four races. You try and catch it up and make some winning points and it just didn’t work, and again some bad luck, and again it doesn’t work.

“It was just a long time where things were not going my way. Eventually they did in Austria, and that was good. So I was very happy with the way I bounced back after all the criticism and the shit that had been written or said about me.

“I knew the team was behind me. My boys knew what I could do. Gunther and Gene [Haas] as well.

“I think the approach is the same. I keep doing what I need to do, and we don’t have to run after some things that are in the past, because we’re not going to change them.”

Having been in a points-scoring position before being sidelined by reliability issues earlier this year, such as in Australia, Grosjean said he did not take his low points total as being representative of his performances this year.

“I’m lucky that I’m not reduced to being a result. It’s not just a number that tells you who you are,” Grosjean said.

“I was 19th of 20 in the drivers’ championship. It’s not who I am, and I knew that. It’s just a lot of things together didn’t quite go. 12 points, you came back in the drivers’ championship, it’s great, but it’s not what I’m looking at.

“We’re looking at what we did and how we did it, and how can we repeat that kind of weekend. That’s what matters.”