Source: Haas F1 Media

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Grosjean came close to quitting F1 to pursue career as a chef!

Grosjean came close to quitting F1 to pursue career as a chef!

07-09-2018 14:45
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Jake Williams-Smith

Romain Grosjean came close to sensationally quitting F1 and becoming a chef instead. The Frenchman revealed during the official F1 podcast that near the beginning of his career, he came close to walking away from the cockpit and into the kitchen.

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, the Haas driver admitted that it was a close call but that his then team principal Eric Boullier had signed off on the plan despite the Lotus team not having two drivers confirmed for the following season.

“It was tough, it was very late as well,” he said.

“Eric Boullier was then in charge of Lotus and I was in contact with Eric and they were telling me if we don’t find anyone you are the obvious choice because you have experience in the team and so on.

“Then on the 31st of January 2010, I got a call from Eric saying they had said Petrov so I was out. I thought ‘that’s it, I’m not racing anymore’ so I am going to become a cook – because that’s part of my passion.

“I went to a cooking school and I was told I was too old. They said no.”

Grosjean also reflected on the up and down career he has enjoyed since his debut in 2009, the 32 year-old admitting that he was lucky to break into the sport but that the crashgate scandal almost derailed his momentum.

“Driving the car is one thing but there’s being on the outside, being aware of what is going on and the games and the media.

“So I came to F1 and people thought I was arrogant, but I was just shy. I was looking not to disturb anything. No one ever told me what to do or not to do and that’s why I wasn’t ready.

“It was a dream start. After the summer break I got the phone call to say I’m in the car for seven grands prix, to get used to F1 before the next season starts and use it as learning. Turns out it wasn’t the case.

“I think it was just the case of wrong place, wrong time. I was next to Fernando, which was amazing, I learned a lot from him. Obviously he was very fast.

“But with all the crashgate story I was part of the furniture that needed a change. I was part of the Flavio Briatore management and even though I owe a lot to Flavio for putting me in, I think it also cost me my first career in F1.”