The Lotus F1 Team says it expects to announce "very shortly" that Romain Grosjean will be retained for the 2015 season.
The Frenchman joined the Enstone-based outfit mid-way through 2009, when it was run under the Renault banner.
He failed to keep his place for the following season and instead returned to feeder categories, winning the GP2 title in 2011.
Grosjean made his F1 comeback in 2012, but it was a scruffy first full campaign with the Lotus F1 Team. However, he learned from his mistakes and scored six podium finishes last season.
He has consistently finished ahead of his current team-mate Pastor Maldonado, who was announced as a Lotus driver for 2015 in July, so far in 2014 and has dragged the tricky Renault-powered E22 into the top 10 twice.
Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi says an announcement should be made shortly confirming Grosjean's place at Lotus next year.
"Romain is in pole position for that place and honestly it’s a case of us finalizing a few details," he explained.
"We expect to have an announcement very shortly. Like the technical package confirmation there has been a lot going on in the offices at Enstone, as well as the pits and paddock. It is all looking very good and exciting for the team going forwards."
When asked why he hasn't announced his 2015 plans, Grosjean replied: "Maybe we think it’s fun to keep the media speculating. Honestly, we’re very close to having something to announce but there’s no pressure on when we say something."
Lotus F1's chances of improving on a difficult 2014 season next year have already taken a considerable step forward, with the recent announcement that Mercedes will supply the team with power-units from 2015 onwards.
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| © Octane Photographic |
He failed to keep his place for the following season and instead returned to feeder categories, winning the GP2 title in 2011.
Grosjean made his F1 comeback in 2012, but it was a scruffy first full campaign with the Lotus F1 Team. However, he learned from his mistakes and scored six podium finishes last season.
He has consistently finished ahead of his current team-mate Pastor Maldonado, who was announced as a Lotus driver for 2015 in July, so far in 2014 and has dragged the tricky Renault-powered E22 into the top 10 twice.
Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi says an announcement should be made shortly confirming Grosjean's place at Lotus next year.
"Romain is in pole position for that place and honestly it’s a case of us finalizing a few details," he explained.
"We expect to have an announcement very shortly. Like the technical package confirmation there has been a lot going on in the offices at Enstone, as well as the pits and paddock. It is all looking very good and exciting for the team going forwards."
When asked why he hasn't announced his 2015 plans, Grosjean replied: "Maybe we think it’s fun to keep the media speculating. Honestly, we’re very close to having something to announce but there’s no pressure on when we say something."
Lotus F1's chances of improving on a difficult 2014 season next year have already taken a considerable step forward, with the recent announcement that Mercedes will supply the team with power-units from 2015 onwards.
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