Grosjean contract clause behind Giovinazzi's FP1 schedule

From the British GP onwards, Ferrari's third driver Giovinazzi will complete seven Friday outings for the American team – and six of them will be in Magnussen's car.

While it is not unprecedented for one driver to suffer most in such situations, teams generally try to share the load, with the race drivers giving up alternate Fridays.

However, Grosjean had his contract changed to ensure he wouldn't have to give the car up.

Meanwhile, when Magnussen signed his deal – which he negotiated himself –  he assumed that both drivers would have the same arrangements.

Grosjean has agreed to give up one FP1 session, despite not being obliged to.

"It was decided in 2015 when I signed my new contract," said the Frenchman. "Learning from the past! I can't tell you what it says, but basically after I left Lotus, I didn't want to leave my car any more.

"Gunther [Steiner, team boss] asked me if I was wiling to give one, and I said yes, and I think for the team as well it is good to have a certain consistency, and being able to develop the car as well."

Magnussen said he was not too worried about the situation. 

"It was in the contract that I was offered. And I didn't know the other contract was like that! I assumed it would be the same, so I said, 'No worries.' It's not a big deal.

"I think Romain had a bad experience with his previous team where they took all his Fridays, and for sure he was a lot harder on that point than I was.

"They offered it to him, they offered us the same contract, but he clamped down on Fridays, because he had a bad experience, and I didn't worry.

"It's not perfect, it's not the best way, but I'm not too worried about it. I'll just have to make up for it."

Magnussen denied that he was relaxed about it because he has an ongoing deal for next season.

"I want to perform the best no matter how many years I have left in my contract, but there's not any reason to complain.

"That's what it is. I did this contract myself, I talked to the team myself, and you live and learn."

Grosjean said the cost of giving up FP1 sessions is related to how difficult it is to set up the car at the start of a weekend, when the loss of track time can be more damaging.

The Frenchman gave up his car 14 times in 19 sessions during the 2015 season, when he drove for Lotus. 

"In 2015, for example, I left quite a lot of my FP1 for [Jolyon] Palmer, and as the baseline of the car was pretty good, it wasn't too much of a problem.

"When the car is a bit more tricky to drive or you cannot find your baseline, then it is not ideal. But as a team sometimes these are things you have to do.

"It's not perfect in terms of performance-related things. But it may bring us some other advantages."