It took Grosjean “five minutes” at Mercedes to see why they were “the most successful sports team in history”.

Romain Grosjean said he understood the reasons for Mercedes’ success in Formula 1 just “five minutes” after entering the team’s Brackley factory.

Earlier this month, Mercedes confirmed that after a demonstration run on Sunday of the Grand Prix weekend in France, Grosjean would have the opportunity to test the W10, which won the championship in 2019, at Paul Ricard’s.

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Grosjean, who drove with Haas for the last five years of his F1 career before leaving F1 late last year, was stunned by the difference between the teams after a recent visit and seat adjustment.

“I came to the factory and was amazed by the factory, the facilities and the way the people around them work,” he told the Beyond the Grid podcast.

“I mean, after five minutes at Mercedes in Brackley, I could easily understand why they were the most successful sports team in history. Find another team, whatever sport, that has won as much as Mercedes. It’s almost impossible.”

“So it’s very clear when we get in there and see and understand it, and even though everyone in Bahrain this year were tests like ‘Red Bull is faster’, it starts with three races – Mercedes two, Red Bull one.

“That is the strength of this team. They may not have the fastest car but they will always find a solution to it and you will feel it when you are there. ”

Asked to identify the difference that struck him the most, Grosjean added, “I would say it’s the culture at the top.

“Then the detail is brought to the max. Everyone is really trying to find the solution, to find the solution that goes faster.”

“Of course the facilities are amazing, but I think a lot of teams can have the facilities, but then it’s just how you use them, how you optimize them.”