2014 Lotus lineup could revive old F3 rivalry

Sep.20 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has admitted he is looking forward to being the 'number 1' at Lotus next year.

With Kimi Raikkonen heading to Ferrari, the Enstone based team will almost certainly keep the improving Frenchman Grosjean on board for 2014, when continuity will be important for the huge change of regulations.

"If I become world champion then I need to be number 1," Grosjean told the British broadcaster Sky.

"Every time I've been team leader, whether it be in Formula 3 or GP2, it's a good situation. But you have to create it," he admitted.

Interestingly, one of the favourites to replace Raikkonen is Nico Hulkenberg, who was one of Grosjean's teammates at the ASM team in Formula 3 in 2007.

For the record, Grosjean was the champion, with Hulkenberg third.

"I came fresh from the A1 series and had a few problems in the first half of the season," Hulkenberg told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"The second half was much better and I even won the Formula 3 Masters," he added. Grosjean had started the race from pole.

Hulkenberg said of Grosjean: "We were not the best of friends."

Grosjean explained: "We were two young drivers who were trying to go to formula one, so we clashed a few times during the season. But I don't think there would be any problems (in 2014)."