Romain Grosjean says he isn’t ‘crazy’ after he earned the nickname ‘first lap nutcase’ following a bout of crashes in 2012.
The Lotus driver showed strong pace throughout the opening races, but failed to finish several of them after he contacted other cars.
He was also banned from taking part in the Italian Grand Prix for causing a first-corner pile-up and then returned, only to hit Mark Webber at the next race.
The 26-year-old is certain he has learnt his lesson and says the fact he had five clean races at the end of the season proves so.
“I do not think winning at all costs is the goal, because the dream is to become world champion one day,” he told Stade2. “Of course, it is true that you have to win races to be champion, but I must be careful not to mistake the goal.
“That’s what cost me the nickname ‘first lap nutcase’ last year, but even that must be taken in context. Mark [Webber] said it straight out of the car in Japan, with all the adrenaline of the race still inside him. I apologised which is the most I can do.
“I am not crazy, I am aware of the risks and I have worked hard to correct my mistakes. Over the last five races, I didn’t have any other problems and there is no reason to believe that I will have any more.”
