Grosjean takes exception to 'tough to manage' Haas claim

©Haas

Outgoing Haas driver Romain Grosjean disagrees with team boss Guenther Steiner's characterization of the Frenchman as being "tough to manage".

Steiner made the comment while speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Italian also acknowledged Grosjean's contribution to Haas' development since its arrival in F1 in 2016.

"When we get him on the right day, at the right time, he was a very big asset to the team," Steiner said. "We have to thank him as well for what he did for us [since 2016]."

When asked about his team boss' "tough to manage" assertion, Grosjean suggested that others had perhaps done a better job handling hm in the past, mainly during his four-year tenure with Lotus that preceded his arrival at Haas.

©Haas

"I don't want to go into too much detail," a coy Grosjean responded.

"I think I've brought a fair bit to the team and I've had moments, yes, I've made mistakes – but who doesn't?

"Also, when you have a poor car, you need to be able to drive to 105% to get anything good and when you drive to that level there is high chances you're going to make mistakes.

"When you have a top car, you can drive at 99.8% and that means you're more consistent. I've known both situations and that's why I can say that.

"Am I difficult to manage? I don't know. Some people did that very well with me in the past, so I guess it's possible."

Read also: My generation never got its chance with top F1 teams - Grosjean

Grosjean has little to show for his final season with Haas which itself has struggled all year with its troublesome VF20 contender.

Despite scoring just two points this season - courtesy of a P9 finish at the Nürburgring - the 34-year-old reckons he has enjoyed a "pretty good" campaign.

"Apart from Turkey in the wet, where I was absolutely nowhere," Grosjean said.

"Generally, I've got the maximum of the car, whenever possible – Germany is a good example, and the race in Monza was pretty good, as well as Mugello.

"So yeah, I'm happy with the season. It's difficult to say how good the season is because of the car we have – but I think it's a really good season."

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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.