• Bahrain Grand Prix

Grosjean result 'a big relief' - Boullier

Romain Grosjean's podium was the fourth of his Formula One career © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Bahrain Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Eric Boullier
• |
• Romain Grosjean

• Teams:
• Lotus F1

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier believes Romain Grosjean's podium in the Bahrain Grand Prix was "a big relief" for him.

Grosjean had endured a tough start to the year as he struggled in comparison to team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, with the difficult season he had in 2012 appearing to affect his confidence. Having been given a new chassis in Bahrain, however, Grosjean was much more competitive and took his first podium of the season behind Raikkonen and race winner Sebastian Vettel.

Boullier told Sky Sports that it wasn't just the chassis change that had led to Grosjean's upturn in form but that Lotus had managed to a deliver a car which was much more to his liking.

"I think it's first a big relief for him," he said. "He had a not so easy start of the season; yes regularly in the points, but he was not enjoying it as much as he wanted. So we as a team did a great job by working very hard and we went through every detail - including a chassis change - but I think we found a couple of things this weekend which help him to drive the car and obviously enjoy driving the car.

"That changed his world. You could see Romain in the race enjoying overtaking and that's the Romain we like."

Boullier added that he felt Grosjean showed signs of regaining his confidence and that he expects to see the good form continue.

"Obviously after Spa last year he went through a difficult period. He had to rebuild himself, rebuild his confidence and I know he worked very, very hard over the winter. He took all the people he needed around him to rebuild his confidence. Obviously he's been under lots of pressure since the beginning of the season but I think this is the start of his season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.