Formula One news

Grosjean delighted with mid-grid spot

Romain Grosjean impressed all present in Valencia on Saturday by claiming fourteenth position on the grid for his first ever Formula One outing. In place of Nelson Piquet, the Frenchman will start the European Grand Prix only six places behind double World Champion team-mate Fernando Alonso.

With Piquet having left the team following the Hungarian Grand Prix amid an ongoing war of words with managing director Flavio Briatore, Grosjean's huge lack of mileage in the car only stresses the brilliance of Saturday's performance.

"I am pleased to have made it into Q2 for my first qualifying session, especially as that was the objective I set myself yesterday," said the 23-year-old, who qualifies one spot higher than Piquet did on the same track last year.

"I want to thank the whole team, who have been working with me, and Fernando for all his helpful advice. To be fighting with the best drivers in the world is an incredible feeling and I'm really looking forward to starting my first Grand Prix tomorrow. I will give my maximum to get the best result possible from the race."

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