Grosjean thanks critics who wrote him off in 2009

Romain Grosjean (FRA) Renault talks with Fernando Alonso (ESP) Renault. Formula One World Championship, Rd 11, European Grand Prix, Practice Day, Valencia Spain, Friday 21 August 2009.
Romain Grosjean was Fernando Alonso's team mate at Renault in 2009

Feb.7 (GMM) Formula 1 returnee, Romain Grosjean has thanked those who wrote him off after his disappointing 2009 Formula 1 debut.

When Nelson Piquet was ousted amid the developing ‘crashgate’ scandal, Swiss-born Frenchman stepped in at Renault and failed to shine alongside Fernando Alonso.

So he returned to GP2, winning the title in 2011 and earning another chance at the Enstone based team – now Lotus – under new management.

“To the people who did not believe in me, thank you – you made me stronger,” the 25-year-old is quoted by the French language sport24.com.

Grosjean admitted, however, that his problems of 2009 were not other people’s faults.

“I think I was not ready, I made mistakes. I did some good things too, but I overall I was not up for it,” said the Frenchman.

“I must say the past two years were very useful and very interesting for me, and now I’m more prepared.”