Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has conceded that the delay to his test drive of a Mercedes F1 car is entirely on him.
The Frenchman was offered a test drive with the eight-time constructors’ champions at the end of 2020 when his career in the pinnacle of motorsport was curtailed by a horrific crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
He was meant to take part in a test at the French Grand Prix at the Circuit Paul Ricard last season, but this got moved thanks to COVID-19, forcing the 36-year-old to reschedule.
Grosjean has since tried to get a date in the books for September in Silverstone just up the road from Mercedes’ base in Brackley, but they could not book the circuit, so the test is still pending.
The former Renault, Lotus and Haas driver’s IndyCar commitments with Andretti often clash with intended dates to test the car, and he has been unable to give the German side a timeframe as for when he might be back in Europe.
“Not yet and it is 100 per cent my fault,” said Grosjean in a YouTube Q&A when asked if the test has happened yet.
“I haven’t been able to give Mercedes some dates that I am back in Europe, if you have been following me on socials you will know I have moved to the US, Miami.
“I moved in December 2021, got really busy. I was meant to drive the Mercedes at the French Grand Prix and after that a test day at Le Castellet, Paul Ricard.
“Due to Covid, the date of the French Grand Prix got moved and I had a race the same weekend.
“We wanted to do the test day but there was some quarantine between France and the UK so for Mercedes, it was getting very complicated.”
Grosjean has received assurances from Wolff that the test will eventually happen, and he will be given either the 2019 or 2020 car, with which Mercedes won the Constructors’ Championship by 254 and 235 points respectively.
“We had a date for September at Silverstone but the track couldn’t get booked,” he added.
“I have been in contact with Mercedes, I saw Toto in Miami for the F1 and he told me yes, the test is happening and I don’t doubt it.
“Mercedes has been really good at contacting me all the time but it is my fault, I haven’t been able to find time to get back to Europe and do the test.
“It should be the 2019 or 2020 Mercedes car which were the two fastest they ever built so I am excited.”
READ: Wolff provides update on Grosjean’s Mercedes F1 test
Grosjean claimed three podium finishes in IndyCar with Dale Coyne last season, twice finishing second in Indianapolis, before claiming P3 in Laguna Seca.
He has added another rostrum appearance to his tally this term with Andretti, taking second in Long Beach, California.