Romain Grosjean has heaped praise on Haas' showing in the first half of the season, saying the team has "grown up".

Grosjean and Danish driver Kevin Magnussen have, between them, already amassed as many points as they managed in the whole of the 2016 campaign, with only half of the races gone.

They showed small flashes last season but are now a safe mid-table constructor, regularly getting through to the second qualifying session and sometimes appearing in the third.

Grosjean says his team have momentum on their side and have successfully avoided the traditional "second season slump".

"It’s been a very good feeling," he said. "We've achieved quite a lot compared to last year. Same amount of points, without the failure in Melbourne we would have six or eight more points so we are in a good place."

Grosjean's highest finish in a race this season has been sixth, which he managed at the Austrian Grand Prix.