The Lotus driver had appeared to be a contender for a front row slot after showing some strong form in both practice and early qualifying, but he was unable to take part in the shoot out for the final slots after spinning in to the gravel at Club at the end of Q2.
Despite that, Grosjean believes the mixed weather conditions that are expected for the race mean that there is still plenty he can do from ninth place on the grid.
“It looked like we had more or less the same pace as Fernando on the extreme tyres – so I guess we could have had a good Q3 and fought for a good position on the grid,” said the Frenchman.
“But if it is the same weather in the race as it was in qualifying, then it will be a long race. Pole position does not mean much in these conditions, and I am sure that we can try to get back to the highest level.
“Our car is good in both the dry and the wet. So the race is going to be long. In Le Mans, they say if you want to win you have to not stop at any time – and to win here you have not have to leave the track at any time.”
Despite his high hopes for a charge through the field, Grosjean did apologise to his team for the error that put him out of qualifying.
“I am very sorry for the team and for everybody, as we had good pace to show in Q3, but it is what it is,” he said. “Sometimes you make mistakes and I made a big one. There was not much I did different from the previous lap, only a little bit, but that was the end.
“From the data I saw we had a big lock with the rear. The reason? I don’t know yet. It was very slippery and very tricky and unfortunately the car went backwards in the gravel. That was my bad luck.”
Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris
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