F1: Romain Grosjean reveals pay difficulties with Lotus have been resolved but admits financial concerns were a worry
Grosjean chose a more reserved approach to Lotus' financial difficulties last season than his former team-mate Kimi Raikkonen's
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Romain Grosjean has confirmed he has finally been paid by Lotus.
Former Lotus team-mate Kimi Raikkonen revealed last year he was owed money by the Enstone-based marque and threatened to boycott the last two grands prix.
As it transpired, Raikkonen aggravated a long-term back injury in the race in Abu Dhabi and pulled out of the final two events in America and Brazil to undergo surgery.
Whilst Raikkonen was outspoken in his condemnation of Lotus' actions, Grosjean opted for a different path and kept his counsel.
But the Frenchman has now revealed he was also in the same boat as Raikkonen, who has since moved on to Ferrari.
Following the implementation of a new management structure over the winter, Grosjean is finally able to pay his bills again.
"Since the new management has been in place, everything has been sorted and is good," said Grosjean.
"But what happened was certainly not the way I wanted things to go.
"I never opened my mouth in front of the media because it was my own business, my personal thing.
"Kimi kind of launched the whole thing, that drivers hadn't been paid and so on.
"It wasn't easy for the guys (within the team), but things have now been made right."
Asked whether motivation was a problem during the period when he was unpaid, Grosjean replied: "No because I don't do this for money, I do it for me - although at some stages I was a bit worried for my rent!"
With a regular salary again, at least that is making the situation on track this season more bearable as Lotus remain plagued by technical issues.
Neither Grosjean nor new team-mate Pastor Maldonado have collected a point from the opening three grands prix of the current campaign.
But with a more reliable financial structure in place, ahead of this weekend's race in China, Grosjean said: "At least now we don't have the problems we faced in the past, which is good for us.
"After two successful years, going into a difficult season it can be very different.
"But everyone is trying as hard as they can to get the car as good as it can be, to move forward and not blame something they shouldn't.
"We're together, we're united, because at the end of the day we're all in the same boat."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments