The Haas F1 team has confirmed Lotus' Romain Grosjean will be one of two drivers for its debut season in 2016.
At an announcement at the team's US base in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the Frenchman was unveiled as the team's first driver signing. Grosjean has driven for Lotus since 2012, while he also raced for the team in seven races during the 2009 season under the guise of Renault.
Team owner Gene Haas said Grosjean's F1's experience was key for the team's first season on the grid.
"We wanted an experienced driver capable of developing our car and our race team into one that can score points and better itself each race and each season. We found him in Romain Grosjean," Haas said. "I've been involved in motorsports for a long time and learned early on the most crucial component is the driver. Romain has strong credentials and he will be an important asset to Haas F1 Team."
Grosjean said: "What Gene Haas and everyone at Haas F1 Team is building is impressive, and I'm very proud to be a part of it. Formula One is incredibly competitive and the only way to succeed is by finding new ways of doing things. This is a new opportunity with a new team that is taking a very different approach to Formula One. I believe in their approach and they believe in me. While I am committed to giving my absolute best to my current team in these last five races, I am very excited for what the future holds at Haas F1 Team."
Haas will join the grid next year with a Ferrari power unit and as many components from the Italian outfit as the regulations allows. It has been using Ferrari's Maranello windtunnel since the partnership was confirmed.
Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez is widely believed to be set for the other drive at Haas, though fellow Ferrari reserve driver Jean-Eric Vergne is also an outside bet. The Grosjean confirmation leaves Lotus without a driver to partner Pastor Maldonado next year at what is looking increasingly likely to be a Renault factory team as the French outfit continues takeover talks with the Enstone team.
Next season will mark team owner Gene Haas' first foray into Formula One, having owned a NASCAR team since 2002. Stewart-Haas, as it became known in 2009, has won two NASCAR Sprint Cup championships (2011 and 2014).
Though based out of Kannapolis, for logistical reasons the team has also purchased Marussia's old factory at Banbury.