Sixth place felt like a win for Haas – Grosjean

Romain Grosjean says his sixth-place finish for Haas in their Formula One debut felt like a win for the American team.

Grosjean started the Australian Grand Prix from 19th on the grid but managed to work his way up into a points finish in Melbourne on Sunday.

The new team were able to capitalise after a terrifying crash involving Fernando Alonso and their other driver Esteban Gutierrez brought out a red flag, which saw Grosjean benefit from a change of tyres.

Frenchman Grosjean was effectively able to make a ‘free pit stop’ and managed to hold off pressure from Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas late in the race.

“The key was the strategy, the red flag,” he told Sky Sports F1. “We had a pit stop and then stayed on those tyres to the end of the race.

Mission accomplished. #HaasF1 scores 8 points with @RGrosjean‘s 6th-place finish at the @ausgrandprix.