Romain Grosjean was in a jovial mood in Thursday's driver press conference in Austin, and said he was happy with his performance away from the track Romain Grosjean was in a jovial mood in Thursday's driver press conference in Austin, and said he was happy with his performance away from the track

Romain Grosjean has confirmed he can leave Lotus at the end of the season despite still being under contract with the Enstone team.

Having claimed over 300 points in the process of securing fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship last year, Lotus have paid a heavy price for a lack of funds during the current campaign. In total, the team have garnered just eight points – all of them scored by Grosjean with his current team-mate Pastor Maldonado still yet to get off the mark.

But while painful, the extent of Lotus’ slump has at least provided Grosjean with a potential escape route if a frontrunning seat becomes available for 2015.

“I have a contract with the team but I have the option to leave if I want to due to some performance clauses,” Grosjean explained. “So far, there are still places available with top teams which haven’t been confirmed. That’s where I want to be in the near future.”

To date, only Red Bull of the perceived ‘big teams’ has confirmed their 2015 line-up – and the World Champions themselves may still have a vacancy for another driver if, as is now distinctly possible, F1 evolves into an eight-team, three-car series. Ironically, Red Bull's 2015 line-up was only confirmed after Sebastian Vettel exercised an escape-clause in what was an otherwise binding contract with the team for another season while Maldonado, despite remaining scoreless, has already been announced as a Lotus driver for next year as well.

“I don’t need reminding that I’ve only scored two times this year,” added Grosjean. “I have to say that Lotus will be better next season than they are this year. The fact that the team are bringing a new nose here just to try to prepare for 2015 is a strong sign.”

Not that 2014 hasn’t been entirely devoid of good for Grosjean, however. On Tuesday, the Frenchman announced that he is to become a father for a second time.

“At least that worked!” he joked during the drivers’ press conference ahead of this weekend’s United States GP.