Grosjean had looked set to extend his stay with Lotus for a fifth straight season, but with the Enstone-based team's future still unknown, he has opted to jump ship to the new Ferrari-associated Haas Team.
In my opinion, this is not a big surprise this news happen. It has been strongly rumoured since the Singapore Grand Prix that Grosjean has signed a deal with Haas. Its great news for the Haas team as they have got a talented and experienced Grand Prix driver as showed during last months Belgian Grand Prix were he finished in third place with an under developed Lotus. But, for Romain Grosjean it is a giant gamble to join the Haas F1 Team.
First of all its going to be the team's first season in F1 of course, despite the team is basically Ferrari B-Team with Haas being supplied with 2016 power units from Ferrari and manufacturer Dallara to design and build their chassis its not the sure thing they could succeeded. Secondly when history has showed, when talented drivers go to a team in their debut season, there is mixed results.
For instance Rubens Barrichello was at midfield team Jordan in 1996, in 1997 went to Stewart who had Ford backing, best result in 1997 was a second place finish at that seasons wet Monaco Grand Prix; third season with the team, three third place finishes and a pole position in a strong third season for Stewart in 1999, went to Ferrari to team up with Michael Schumacher in 2000, and the rest is history.
Then, there is drivers who made those that made the bad decisions with debut teams, Heikki Kovalainen was at McLaren in 2009, got replace by Jenson Button at the team for 2010, could have went to Force India in 2010. Instead went to Lotus Racing (Caterham), highest result was a twelfth place finish at Suzuka 2010, stayed at the team for two more seasons and got fired by the team at the end of the 2012 season. Never scored a point for the team. The end of his Formula 1 career, now in Super GT series in Japan with Lexus.
Then, there is Timo Glock, was at Toyota in 2009, could have went to Renault in 2010. Instead went to Virgin Racing (Manor), highest result was twelfth place finish at Singapore in 2012; got fired by the team before the 2013 because the team could not afford his wages. Never scored a point for the team. The end of his Formula 1 career went to DTM with BMW after that.
Basically, its down to the gamble for Grosjean at Haas next season, if he has a good season in 2016 with the team in the midfield and above likes of Sauber and Force India and if Räikkönen isn't retain at Ferrari for 2017. Grosjean could have the hot seat at Ferrari for 2017 alongside Sebastian Vettel. If not return to Renault might happen instead.
If the gamble doesn't work and the Haas team is battling with the likes of Manor in 2016, his Formula 1 career could be over the same scenario as Kovalainen and Glock before. Time well tell for Romain Grosjean if he done the right decision to drive for Haas in 2016.
As for Grosjean's team-mate at Hass next season, no word as of yet. It is strongly rumoured that Ferrari test-driver and former Sauber driver Esteban Gutiérrez will get the second drive, bringing in sponsorship from Mexico.
A new challenge ahead for Romain Grosjean in 2016.
End of post for now, new post soon, bye.
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