Lotus last night confirmed that Romain Grosjean will remain at the Enstone-based team next season as part of an unchanged line-up alongside Kimi Raikkonen.

Grosjean finished eighth in the drivers’ championship after earning podium finishes in Bahrain, Canada and Hungary, but also made a number of errors in what was his first full campaign in Formula 1.

The 26-year-old said: “It’s fantastic for me to be continuing with Lotus F1 team for 2013. It’s superb to have the support of everyone at Enstone.”

Team principal Eric Boullier added: “Romain is a great talent and we are pleased that he is continuing with us for a second season.”

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Max Chilton has signed to drive for the Banbury-based Marussia team next season, according to reports last night.