Only one month on from the Spa-Francorchamps pile-up that led to his one-race ban, was an encouraging fifth on the grid for Method 1’s 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.
With six grands prix to go, ’s title hopes had been dwindling. The Crimson Bull driver was simply fifth within the standings, 62 factors down on championship chief . No less than he began the Japanese race from the entrance row, alongside his pole-setting team-mate .
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Nevertheless, Webber took a poor getaway, dropping behind Sauber’s , earlier than his right-rear was hit by Grosjean in Flip 2, which despatched him spinning into the grass. He recovered to ninth place solely.
This led to the Australian’s notorious tirade in opposition to the Lotus driver, whom he branded a “first-lap nutcase”, suggesting the teen deserved to be suspended once more.
Present principal Ayao Komatsu was the 26-year-old’s race engineer on the time, however he was simply 36 himself and has admitted to not dealing with Grosjean’s misery in addition to he may have.
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Komatsu advised the Excessive Efficiency Podcast that he “shied away from sure elements of [Grosjean’s] character”, explaining: “I did not know what to do about it, you understand, I did not understand how I may assist.
“Mark Webber got here to Romain’s room after the race, punching and kicking each single panel you’ll be able to consider – after which stormed off. After which Romain crying on the ground.
“For me, if I used to be Romain, even when I used to be at fault, if anyone got here kicking down all my panels, I’d kick this man out, proper? However he could not try this, you understand? However then in that emotional state, I did not know what was one of the best ways for me to assist him, for those who like. Yeah, I did not deal with it head-on.”
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Ayao Komatsu and Romain Grosjean
Ayao Komatsu and Romain Grosjean
Requested what he advised Grosjean on the time, Komatsu continued: “That is the problem. I could not supply something, as an instance, significant, proper? However I believe if I had extra life expertise, I may have handled [it] otherwise. I may have gone via no matter drawback he had collectively a bit extra. Then that might have made an enormous distinction. Now I do know, however I simply could not do it again then.
“However then after I met with Romain a number of years in the past in Interlagos, I mentioned that, ‘I actually really feel I allow you to down by not having the ability that will help you in that occasion as a result of I did not have the life expertise, you understand? I want I had 5 years extra life expertise. I’d have executed it in another way, I’d have gone via the journey along with you to get you out of that gap’, for those who like, the all-time low he was in. Not simply in Suzuka, many different incidents, proper?
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“However Romain mentioned to me, ‘Ayao, we grew up collectively. I do not need Ayao with 5 extra [years’] life expertise again then. I would not change something.’ You already know, he is a fantastic man.
“However I nonetheless want I may have executed extra.”
Grosjean was within the early phases of seeing a sports activities psychologist on the time, which he has credited with substantial enhancements in his method and psychological well being. He went on to take pleasure in 10 podiums all through his profession, although victory all the time eluded him.
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