Lotus's Eric Boullier and James Allison give their backing to Romain Grosjean

After a quiet start to 2013 for Romain Grosjean, Lotus Team Principal Eric Boullier and Technical Director James Allison have given their backing to the Frenchman.

The 27-year-old may have scored points at each of the opening three races this season, however, he has been outshone by team-mate Kimi Raikkonen who has already stood on the top step of the podium.

Boullier, though, feels it is only natural that Grosjean is finding the going tough against the 2007 World Champion and thinks it is a great chance for the former GP2 Champion to learn from one of the best.

"Romain faces the very tough challenge of driving the same car as one of the most gifted driver around in Kimi; a driver with tremendous experience who returned to the sport last year and was very good straight away," Boullier said.

"If he was very good from the start of last season, Kimi's been excellent from the start of 2013. He gives everything you want from a driver at every moment on track. This will be frustrating for Romain at times as it's very, very difficult to beat the Kimi who arrives at the track this season, but it's also a tremendous opportunity as he's learning from the very best.

"If he can learn these lessons whilst bringing home points for the team, then he's doing the job we want from him."
Allison also defended the Frenchman, stressing the team had not given Grosjean a car with which to perform, rather than it being a case of him not delivering.

"The truth is that it's certainly not Romain causing the problem," the Technical Director said.

"Romain is fast, smooth and good at looking after tyres, however we have not yet managed to give him a consistent car that lets him bring his talent to bear. It's not him; it's that we haven't got it quite right for him yet and what seems to be clear from Kimi's weekends is that the car is a tricky little beast to get just right.

"We have managed that with Kimi in two of the three races and we need to make sure we've giving Romain all the opportunity to shine as well."