Romain Grosjean believes Formula 1’s front-runners will be able to increase the gap between themselves and the midfield as the 2019 season develops.
Formula 1’s top three teams – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – have enjoyed a substantial pace advantage over the rest of the grid in recent seasons.
Only Force India’s Sergio Perez broke the hegemony of those teams by taking a podium finish in Azerbaijan, while at some events the lead midfield runner was over a lap behind the winner.
In Australia lead midfield runner Grosjean qualified within seven-tenths of Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, which marked a reduction on 2018, when he was over a second away.
But Grosjean doubts that the midfield teams will be able to reduce the gap further.
“I think it’s the right battle for Formula 1,” said Grosjean on the midfield.
“It’s super exciting to look at the midfield, where the gap is very tight and you never know who’s going to end up on top.
“[But] I think we’re a bit further away from Red Bull than we were hoping.
“I’m afraid the gap could open during the year because of the resources they have. We’ll definitely try to give them as hard a time as we can.”
Haas boss Guenther Steiner echoed Grosjean’s comments on the nature of the midfield scrap.
“It’s great for Formula 1 to have a battle like this in the midfield,” said Steiner.
“It would be fantastic if this was at the front – if it could be for first, second and third. Nearly every race could have a different winner. The podium would be filled by more than just three teams.
“I think it’s very tight. We’re looking forward to the battle because it’s always good to go to the racetrack and have something to fight for.”
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