Is a Ferrari drive just a phone call away for Grosjean?

©Haas

Romain Grosjean believes he is well placed to replace Kimi Raikkonen should the Finn decide to retire from F1 at the end of the season.

Grosjean joined Haas at the end of 2015 with the hope that the US outfit's close technical relationship with the House of Maranello could eventually serve as a springboard to a drive with the Scuderia.

Ferrari has not contracted either of its drivers for 2018, but pundits are betting on Sebastian Vettel remaining with the red squad while most se Raikkonen calling it a day on his time in F1.

Asked by Sky F1's Simon Lazenby if he had hopes of joining Ferrari, Grosjean replied: "Good question, I don't know. Life is full of surprises.

"If you ask Valtteri what he was doing last December, I'm sure he was thinking 'I'm going to go again with Williams' and the next thing you know he's in a world championship car.

"It's a phone call and the best thing you can do is do the best thing on track."

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Grosjean was evasive however when asked if there was any ongoing communication with the Scuderia.

"It's early days and we are not even in July. Who knows what the F1 grid is going to be like next year.

"Valtteri is waiting on Mercedes, and there is the Kimi situation, what is he going to do?

"Everyone has thought he is going to be out of Formula 1 since 2010 and here we are in 2017, he's 37 and still here doing a decent job.

"If there is an opportunity, a seat with them then I believe I am in a good position but it doesn't necessarily mean anything."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.