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Grosjean willing to lead Lotus

Romain Grosjean is in his second full season with Lotus © Sutton Images

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Romain Grosjean insists he does not want Kimi Raikkonen to leave Lotus but says he's ready to lead the team if he does.

Raikkonen has been heavily linked with a move to Red Bull, and while that option appears to have been closed off he has also been reportedly receiving interest from Ferrari. While Raikkonen's main concern at Lotus centres on the financial stability at the team in future, Grosjean says he hopes his team-mate will stay.

"I always said that losing Kimi would be a loss for the team," Grosjean said. "He's very good to have, he's a world champion and he's good to have as a team-mate. We push each other to the limit, but if he leaves then we still have to do the job to try to win races and score a lot of points. At the moment I think we have a good way of working both together, but if he leaves then I will be more than happy to get the lead and try to keep Lotus where it is or still improve."

Reflecting on his own form, Grosjean believes he has been performing well for the majority of the season even if his results haven't always shown it.

"We had a decent run since Bahrain where we found out what I didn't like that was on the car at the start of the season. Then we had a little bit of bad luck, I had a bad Monaco - that was my side - but I think I was getting better and better and in the last two races we were fighting for victory, which is always good. The car was performing well in qualy and in the race so I'm happy with that, happy with the progress we are making and the updates the team are bringing. I'm just trying to do my best and giving 100% all the time."

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