Lotus ace Romain Grosjean admitted he probably had one of his best drives as he finished second in Sunday’s US Grand Prix.

Starting third on the grid, the driver from the Enstone-based outfit split the Red Bulls as Mark Webber became trapped behind his teammate and race winner Sebastian Vettel and it was a position tht the Switzerland-born driver never relinquished.

It was Grosjean’s fourth podium finish from the last five races and made him the second highest points scorer since the Singapore Grand Prix behind Vettel.

Grosjean’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen, who has replaced Kimi Raikkonen, came 15th.

“That was a really tough race. I had to have probably one of my best ever drives to keep Mark (Webber) behind and it’s a great feeling to have tamed at least one of the Bulls in Texas as they clearly had the fastest package.

“We knew a good start would be the key, so making up one place in the first corner was really important and the car was just fantastic from there onwards.

“The whole team here and back at Enstone are doing an amazing job.

“Every day I see them working hard together to keep us at the front and when you look at the gap to the next nearest challenger, it’s clear we’re the second best team after Red Bull now.

“I think this place must bring me luck; this time last year I found out my wife was pregnant and now I’ve equalled my best finish in Formula 1, so I can’t wait to come back again.”

Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic from the Leafield-based Caterham team were 19th abd 20th respectively.

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP 1 S Vettel 372pts, 2 F Alonso 227, 3 L Hamilton 187, 4 K Raikkonen 183, 5 M Webber 181, 6 N Rosberg 161, 7 R Grosjean 132, 8 F Massa Brz Ferrari 106, 9 J Button 61, 10 P Di Resta 48.

CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP 1 Red Bull 553pts, 2 Mercedes 348, 3 Ferrari 333, 4 Lotus 315.