Grosjean rues Nürburgring missed opportunity

Romain Grosjean has declared the 2013 German Grand Prix as 'the one that got away' in his Formula 1 career ahead of the sport's return to the Nürburgring this weekend.

Haas driver Grosjean was competing for Lotus when F1 last visited the German track, a race in which the Frenchman finished third to stand alongside victor Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen on the podium.

Grosjean, however, feels he would have taken the chequered flag had it not been for a late safety car intervention to recover the stricken Marussia of the now late Jules Bianchi.

“I was very happy with my weekend, but I should have won the race," said Grosjean. "It was pretty clear I was going to win the race until the safety car.

"Yes, a podium finish is always mega, but missing out on the win was a big thing – I really had a big lead. No hard feelings though, it was a good race on a great track, and obviously, a podium in Formula 1 is always super good.”

Returning to the circuit this weekend, Grosjean will sit out FP1 on Friday with Ferrari academy driver and F2 title contender Callum Ilott scheduled to make his F1 debut in the VF-20.

Of the current crop of F1 drivers, 13 have yet to experience the Nürburgring in an F1 car, but seven years on and with numerous regulation changes since the last trip to the venue, Grosjean feels the upper hand - if any - will be minimal.

“To be fair, 2013 was a very long time ago, so I’m not really sure that’s an advantage," added Grosjean. "I don’t really remember the track more than that.

"Obviously it’s going to be a bit of a challenge to learn it. I haven’t had the chance to do it on the simulator. I’ll just have to go with my memory. I know it’s a mega track. The biggest challenge there will be the weather.”

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