Formula One news

Dream come true for Romain Grosjean

Once Renault had won its appeal to race in Valencia this weekend, Romain Grosjean was announced as replacement for Nelsinho Piquet from the European Grand Prix onwards. The promotion of the team's reserve and GP2 driver marks the first time a French driver has driven for the French team since Patrick Tambay in 1985.

Grosjean has raced on most F1 circuits due to his GP2 commitments

Although French-Canadian Jacques Villeneuve drove for Renault for three races at the end of the 2004 campaign, Grosjean is the first French national to drive for the Enstone squad since Parisian Tambay 24 years ago; like Villeneuve, however, the 24-year-old does hold a duel nationality due to being born in Geneva, Switzerland.

"I started dreaming about being a Formula One driver when I was seven or eight years old, when I was watching the battles between Prost and Senna on television, so to make my debut in Valencia really is a dream come true," said the excited new team-mate of Fernando Alonso. "My goal has always been to become a Formula One driver and to do that with a French team makes it even more special."

Romain's Campos entry currently lies second in GP2 to Germany's Nico Hulkenberg

With Piquet having described his relationships with Alonso and team principal Flavio Briatore as difficult as times, how does Romain predict he will get on with his team-mate? "He is a great Champion," Grosjean replied, "maybe the best driver in Formula One and I'm looking forward to working with him for the rest of the season; we already get on well and, because he has so much experience, I know there is a lot I can learn from him."

In a similar case to Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari in Hungary last time out, Grosjean has been unable to run the Renault on a circuit due to the restrictions on in-season testing in 2009. "I've only driven the R29 in straight-line testing so my first race will be a learning experience," he described. "It's difficult to set myself an objective so my first priority will be to get comfortable with the car, build my confidence over the weekend and do the best job I can for the team."

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