Grosjean: Russell only driver to message me after Haas exit news

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Romain Grosjean says George Russell was the only driver on the grid to send him a message of support after Haas announced the Frenchman's exit from its team for 2021.

Grosjean and teammate Kevin Magnussen have both been dismissed by Haas, a decision that could signal the end of the pair's career in Formula 1.

There's obviously little compassion among F1 drivers when a rival is forced to head to the unemployment line, but Russell was one who felt compelled to offer a few words of support to Grosjean.

"I’ve had a good relationship with George," said the 34-year-old Frenchman

"When the announcement was made that I wasn’t going to be with the team next season, he was the first and only one to send me a WhatsApp message. That really shows that he’s a great guy."

Read also: Grosjean 'should have been a race winner in F1' says Boullier

Grosjean returned the support recently when Russell crashed behind the Safety Car at the Emilia Romagna GP, a blunder that reminded him of an embarrassing and costly mistake of his own at the Azerbaijan GP in 2018.

"I know how painful it is to crash under a Safety Car period – especially when it’s going to be your first point of the season," he said. "I believe it was the same for me at Baku in 2018.

"In the lower part of the field, you really need to work the tyres a lot. I’ve said it many times, if I was doing Baku again, I’d probably do the same thing as I did three seasons ago.

"George didn’t do anything crazy, but he just lost the car. It was a tough day for him, but he’ll have plenty more [good days] to come."

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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.