Grosjean: We've got new tyre blanket temperatures...

Tuesday, 19 February 2019 at 07:45

Romain Grosjean has blamed the new temperature restrictions on tyre-warmers for causing his spin - on cold tyres obviously - during the first day of Formula 1 preseason testing at Circuit de Catalunya.

He lost control of the black and gold VF19 early on during proceedings, lucky to only scrape the barrier before the car stopped on track with a reported fuel pressure issue.

Grosjean’s best time of 1:19.159 was set on his 56th lap on a set of the yellow-walled C3 Pirelli tire compound. The time put Grosjean third among the 11 drivers in action on the day.

The Frenchman reported at the end of the day, "We've got new tyre blanket temperatures, at 80 degrees, and when the track is four degrees, it just doesn't work."

"In the afternoon it was still a struggle to get the first timed lap. I don't really know why we went so low in blanket temperature, I don't think it's the right thing, and could be tricky on some occasions. I just went on the throttle and the rear was facing forwards."

"We already know the Pirelli tyre has quite a narrow window, and if we go out at 80 degrees behind the safety car, we'll find ourselves at 50 quite quickly, and that's when it becomes tricky," added Grosjean.

The team explained, "The day’s early running was thwarted just 12 laps into the program due to a fuel pressure loss on the VF-19. An eventual return to the track in the final minutes of the morning session saw Grosjean add a further six laps to his tally before the mandatory lunch break."

"The afternoon plan included four timed stints with Grosjean utilizing the C3 compound for a total of 40 laps, the last outing of the set delivering his fastest lap of the day. One final 7-lap run, to give the softer C4 tires a debut, took Grosjean to the end of the session."

Grosjean makes way for teammate Kevin Magnussen in the car today.