Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsHaas F1 Team

Grosjean goes one better in another points-scoring finish for Haas

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Haas F1 Team's impressive season debut continued today in Bahrain with the US outfit achieving even a better result than in Australia thanks to a brilliant drive to 5th place, courtesy of Romain Grosjean.

The Frenchman was ecstatic with his result, obtained on his own merit and after defeating Kvyat's Red Bull, Verstappen's Toro Rosso and the Williams pair altogether.

Starting from ninth on the grid, Grosjean followed a three-stop strategy, with the emphasis on the SuperSoft compound, which worked perfectly despite a rather slow stop on lap 41 as the crew struggled a bit with the left rear wheel.

But nothing was going to deter the combative Grosjean from extracting the maximum amount of points possible Sunday evening behind the wheel of the very efficient Haas VF-16.

"It was unbelievable fighting with Red Bull, Williams, Toro Rosso, and not having any issues," enthused Grosjean.

"I had a fantastic race, with no safety car or incidents. That car has a very good baseline, everything is working well, engine, suspension, brakes, it's just nice to drive the way I want, with a good aggressive strategy with the SuperSoft tyres, this was a dream debut."

Grosjean's admitted that his confidence this year has been boosted by a car which is indeed providing a fair amount of satisfaction in all major departments, but perhaps most that which involves the Haas' braking capacity.

"Yes, I've got really big confidence in the braking which allows me to attack with full of confidence of what the car is going to do. I very much love the platform and the car, and all the systems inside so it allows me to unlock the potential."

While team and driver will undoubtedly savor another major milestone, Grosjean was quick to point out that he was expecting the year to be all clear sailing.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground as we'll have harder days, don't think it's always going to be like this.

"Right now, we're enjoying, we'll take the morale boost and we'll come back in China."

AS IT HAPPENED: Bahrain Grand Prix

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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.