Three months ago Romain Grosjean was in peril. After the British Grand Prix, he had registered just a single points finish in 10 races - albeit for an outstanding drive to fourth place in Austria - and questions were being asked about his Formula 1 future following a series of costly mishaps. This could not go on.

It didn't. In the following six weekends, from the German Grand Prix that Grosjean himself cites as the turning point, he has performed strongly and earned himself a new Haas deal. And when Grosjean is at his best, he's fast. Seriously fast.

When Grosjean's deal was announced ahead of qualifying in Russia last weekend, some scoffed. But team owner Gene Haas was right to retain a driver capable of delivering outstanding results now that he has turned things around. Grosjean can be frustrating, but he's exactly the kind of driver F1 needs to retain.