Grosjean admits to eyeing Ferrari promotion

Romain Grosjean admits he would be “happy to say yes” if Ferrari gave him a call to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Maranello in 2017, though the Frenchman insists his current focus remains on further developing Haas.

Last year, Grosjean made the bold decision to leave Lotus, then on the verge of being taken over by Renault, and join the US newcomers as they prepared to enter the sport on the back of a strong technical partnership with Ferrari.

Grosjean’s gamble has already paid off handsomely after he claimed strong points finishes in Australia, Bahrain, and Russia.

With Raikkonen’s contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, there could be a vacancy at Ferrari in 2017. Given Haas’ close links with the Italian team, it is only logical for its lead driver to be tipped as a potential replacement.

“It’s not me who decides,” Grosjean told La Gazetta dello Sport. “I’d like to of course. But I don’t think about it and focus instead on doing well and elevating Haas to a competitive level. But if a call ever came from Maranello, I’d be happy to say ‘yes’.

Pressed to describe what Ferrari means to him, the 30-year-old added: “Something big. We are talking about the most important team in the sport. When I was 18-19 years old, I spoke with [former Ferrari grand prix winner] Jean Alesi and he told me: ‘At first, I was just a Formula One driver, then I became a Ferrari driver’. Wearing the famous red racing suit, driving that car, it’s unique.”

Grosjean also likens his situation to that of Max Verstappen, who was promoted from Red Bull’s main outfit after starring for its junior team Toro Rosso.

“One day I hope to get the great opportunity that Verstappen had”.

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