Renault development driver Rowland has signed for Driot's team for his second full season in GP2.

Driot reckons the 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 champion's reputation for being rough around the edges puts him in the same group as GP2 title winners Grosjean, Davide Valsecchi and Jolyon Palmer.

"We take care of drivers," Driot told Motorsport.com. "Take the example of Grosjean – it's typical! Valsecchi was like this. Palmer was up and down, then won the championship in front of [Stoffel] Vandoorne.

"The driver is not a fifth wheel, he's a human being inside that you have to take care of and manage much differently than the set-up.

"You don't set up a driver's mind, you mould it to try to get the most of it and to give the most confidence you can inside.

"We have had examples within DAMS where we have put the head together. I hope we will be able to do the same with Oliver – to give him confidence, to know who he is and what are his strengths and weaknesses.

"Since he's joined us he has come quite a lot, working with the team and engineers. You feel like the guy is getting more and more confident."

Rowland led the GP2 title race after the first five rounds last year with MP Motorsport but faded to ninth in the points.

The 24-year-old has since 'graduated' from the Racing Steps Foundation, which has backed him since his move into cars in 2011.

Rowland was briefly dropped by the RSF a few years ago and has been criticised for his work ethic at times, but Driot said the reality of working with him was different to the perception that had been created.

"The guy is very bright, and understands very well," he said. "His input is quite interesting. The image he had was he's talented but a little 'in and out' and that he's an 'instinct talent'.

"But when you know him, it's not instinct. You can work into everything with him and he follows and understands and brings his input as well."

DAMS had a disappointing 2016 GP2 season by its recent standards, finishing fifth in the teams' championship and winning two races with Alex Lynn, who ended the year sixth in his sophomore campaign.

The French team has won three GP2 drivers' titles and taken teams' honours twice in the last six years.

It also secured back-to-back Formula Renault 3.5 drivers' and teams' titles in 2013 and 2014, including turning Kevin Magnussen from rapid-but-erratic race winner into the series' 2013 champion.