Good Lotus puts smile back on Grosjean

Feb.9 (GMM) Romain Grosjean is once again wearing his customary smile.

Having emerged from his personal 'crash-kid' crisis of 2012, the Frenchman's F1 career gathered momentum in 2013 before he spent last season racing the woeful black and gold Lotus.

Now, as the Enstone team looks to get back on track, Grosjean has confirmed that at Jerez, he rediscovered the pure joys of driving a formula one car.

Asked what has changed between 2014 and 2015, he told France's RMC: "A lot of things.

"The engine has changed and we are once again in the right direction.

"Above all it is now a car that is much more fun to drive. In the laps I have done I am enjoying myself, which has not happened for a while," Grosjean added.

Again comparing the old Lotus with its successor, he explained: "It's like bouncing a rugby ball and then bouncing a basketball.

"We have not got 100 per cent performance from the car yet and we do not know exactly where we are on the grid. But what I can say is that it is healthy and fun to drive, which in general is a good start," said Grosjean.

As for how Lotus is shaping up versus the other teams this year, he answered: "We are beginning to get an idea, but do not ask me now who is the favourite.

"Last year, we realised very quickly that it would be a very difficult one for us.

"We will get some more information about the car at the next test in Barcelona, and then the first qualifying of the year in Melbourne will clearly give the current order," he added.