Grosjean hits out at unrepentant Verstappen
Romain Grosjean has hit out at Formula 1 rival Max Verstappen for failing to own up to his Monaco Grand Prix mistake.
Photo by: XPB Images
The Frenchman was hit from behind by Verstappen as they fought for position in Monte Carlo, with Verstappen earning himself a five-place grid penalty for Canada.
Although Grosjean accepts that drivers can make errors in race, what he finds most disappointing is that Verstappen has not owned up to getting things wrong.
"I have been doing mistakes, quite a lot of times, but I have learned from them and then I went on the podium," said Grosjean, when asked by Motorsport.com about his view on the fallout from the Monaco incident.
"So there aren't any problems with having a problem or a doing a mistake in the race.
"I think the key is to admit and learn from it - and apologise to the people you crash in to."
Disappointing response
Grosjean said that Verstappen had not offered any apology for what happened, which he was particularly unimpressed with.
"Max is really, really talented and what he has been doing is really impressive," said Grosjean.
"But he has made a mistake and I just find it a bit disappointing that he doesn't learn from it.
"Even today in the press conference it was the same thing; [he said] I am going to drive in the same way.
"But F1 is dangerous so we need to keep that in mind."
Owning up
Grosjean knows what it is like to face criticisms from rivals about errors, after famously getting a race ban in 2012 for causing a start line pile-up at the Belgian Grand Prix.
He admits that it is difficult for youngsters to confess to doing things wrong, but believes it is a vital step to make.
"You try to prove yourself and prove to everyone you are there," he said. "He was second in FP1 and had a good qualifying, and then after a bad pitstop he ends up behind me.
"He did some good things to take advantage of blue flags to come back to almost P10 and then thinks I will show people I can overtake in Monaco – which I have been trying.
"In 2013 it didn't work [for me], so I made mistakes and that is absolutely fine – but later on apologise."
He added: "I have learned from the past. I have been treated as the 'first lap nut case' which hurts a little bit, but it made me stronger and I learned from it.
"The only thing I can wish him is that he realises and learns from it. Then I am sure he will have some successful races."
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