Raikkonen's new deal means Romain's wait for top drive continues
Monday 25 July 2016 12:02, UK
Romain Grosjean insists Ferrari's decision to retain Kimi Raikkonen for another season is "not a problem" but is left hoping his childhood dream of driving for F1's most famous team is not over.
For the second successive year, Grosjean was thought to be in contention for the seat alongside Sebastian Vettel but Ferrari ultimately decided to hand the 36-year-old Raikkonen another one-year contract extension.
Grosjean's winter move to newcomers Haas from Lotus was widely viewed as being the final stepping stone towards a Ferrari seat as the American team entered F1 in a technical partnership with the Scuderia.
Asked ahead of the Hungarian GP if he had held talks with Ferrari this time round about 2017, Grosjean replied: "There are always talks. I never hide the fact that one day I want to drive for Ferrari.
"The decision is not a problem at all. I am happy here."
Grosjean is only in his fifth full season of F1 but turned 30 in April, meaning he is one of the seven oldest drivers on the 22-man grid.
"I know I have a Ferrari engine, I work with Ferrari engineers, and they know how I work," added the Frenchman. "I have been on the podium a few times in my career [10] which always helps to go to a big team.
Are Ferrari waiting for Hamilton?
"After that, I hope I am [next in line], but I don't know. I say it again, but I'm very happy here.
"Yes, if there is a chance to go to Ferrari, there is no way I would say no - that's the team I've loved since I was eight years old - and I want to be world champion and that's where you get a good shot at least."
Having been overlooked again by Ferrari, Grosjean appears likely to stay at Haas for a second season as they plot further progress up the grid. The American team have said they will not take a decision on their 2017 line-up until the European season ends in September.
"It's a great experience [at Haas]," he said. "I don't regret anything from changing team and I really feel very good here. I've got an important role in the team and, in terms of experience and my career, it's a great thing."
