Romain Grosjean is hoping for a clean race in Singapore this weekend after both Lotus F1 cars retired early at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Frenchman and Pastor Maldonado, his teammate at the Enstone-based team, picked up damage which forced them out in the opening two laps at Monza.

Singapore’s street circuit will provide a completely different challenge and Grosjean is aiming to avoid a repeat of the team’s disappointing outing in Italy.

He said: “We started in the top ten but then another driver’s optimism at the first corner of all places meant the rear suspension of my car was damaged.

“That was it, race over.

“I was pretty gutted, but we carry on and Singapore’s our next opportunity for points.”

He added: “The track is really impressive with some technical parts and some classic street circuit 90 degree turns.

“There are a few decent straights but it is mainly busy, busy, busy for us, with corner after corner.”

l JORDAN Albert had a frustrating outing in BRDC Formula 4 Championship at Donington Park.

Driving for Chipping Norton’s SWR Racing, he started the second race on pole, but was hit with a time penalty for jumping the start and finished eighth.

Another eighth and ninth position left him sixth in the championship, while teammate Zubair Hoque came 12th, 13th and 16th.

Team owner Sean Walkinshaw is in action this weekend at the Nurburgring in Germany for the Blancpain Endurance Series.