MARCH 17, 2016

Ferrari link motivated Haas switch says Grosjean

Romain Grosjean has admitted that switching to Haas for 2016 moved him one step closer to a "dream" Ferrari seat.

Romain Grosjean has admitted that switching to Haas for 2016 moved him one step closer to a dream Ferrari seat.

To the surprise of many, the Frenchman turned down the opportunity to ride the transition of Lotus into the Renault works team in order to instead join F1's newest outfit.

"We will get the first idea about whether I was wrong or not here," the 29-year-old smiled to the French outlet RMC ahead of the Melbourne season opener.

"I'm not somebody who looks back -- I made a choice and I will not have regrets.

"Overall, I'm happy with my choice and I feel so welcome at Haas. I know there will be difficult times because we are a new team but I hope we will also have a great time and keep our smiles," Grosjean added.

Haas has sided strongly with Ferrari for its new project, to the extent that many are saying it is effectively the Maranello marque's 'B' operation.

"Haas established a very intelligent technical partnership with Ferrari," Grosjean admits. "Mercedes did the same with Manor.

"If we have a problem, Ferrari will react quickly. This is something that motivated me to join the team. We should have fewer problems than other new teams that arrived in F1," he added.

And as for that tantalising prospect of a works Ferrari seat in the future, Grosjean said he would not rule it out.

"I want to become world champion, for sure," he insisted. "Now I have 21 grands prix with Haas -- it's a long season.

"One day, we'll see if it's Ferrari or not. I'm sure that for each driver, it is a dream to drive for the Scuderia."

(GMM)