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Grosjean expects a win in second half of 2013

ESPN Staff
August 2, 2013 « Mercedes reveals sound of 2014 engine | Lotus gives Raikkonen 10/10 »
Romain Grosjean: 'I honestly believe my first win is now just around the corner' © Sutton Images
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Romain Grosjean believes he will take the first win of his career in the second half of the season.

Grosjean has scored five podiums in his career so far, two of them coming in 2013, but has struggled for consistent results. However, after challenging for victories at the last two races before strategies and penalties took the edge off his performances, Grosjean is hoping for his first win in the remaining nine races of 2013.

"We proved in Germany and Hungary that we can compete right at the front of the grid and I think if we can continue to improve at the same rate we will be looking pretty good for the remaining nine races," he said. "I'm feeling more and more comfortable in the car every time I drive it which is certainly a good sign looking forwards. After our performance in the last few races, I honestly believe my first win is now just around the corner."

Grosjean said his audacious passing move on Felipe Massa around the outside of turn four in Hungary had been the high point of his 2013 season until he was penalised for leaving the track on corner exit.

"I would like to say the pass on Felipe in Budapest - which at the time I thought may have been the best of my career so far - but of course with the penalty I suppose it's not the same. The podium in Germany would have to be my next choice; not just because it was a great result for the team, but because we were genuinely fighting for the win right to the end which was a pretty good feeling."

But he admitted his performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he showed pace throughout the practice sessions but rear-ended Daniel Ricciardo in the race, was his low point of 2013.

"Monaco was not my best weekend, that's no secret. The pace was there, but for one reason or another I just didn't put everything together when really a strong result was definitely achievable. I still owe the mechanics and composites guys a drink for that; hopefully it will be some victory champagne later in the season…"

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