MONZA (Italy) • Lotus driver Romain Grosjean will go into this weekend's Italian Grand Prix with his sights set on a second podium finish in as many races.

The Frenchman was third at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa last week - the first time that Lotus made the podium since the United States Grand Prix in 2013 .

Mercedes have been dominant this season, winning every race except the Malaysian and Hungarian grands prix, but Grosjean believes that he has the machine to deliver another shock result.

"On paper, Monza should suit our car better than Spa so, in theory, a podium could be possible again," he told F1's official website.

"You need your car to be as slippery as possible and quick in a straight line, and in that regard we've looked pretty strong so far in 2015," he said of what it takes to do well on the fastest circuit on the Formula One calendar.

"Also for us it will be tricky in the big corners... because the less downforce you have then the more difficult it is to get good grip in the turns. It is a tough compromise but one (for which) I am sure the team will get the best solution possible."

Monza represents the last European race of the season, with the Asian swing starting at the Sept 20 Singapore Grand Prix .

Monza is widely regarded as one of the most iconic racing circuits and Grosjean is eager to return to the venue where he has triumphed, albeit in the less prestigious Formula Lista, an open-wheel racing series based in Europe.

"One of my first ever races was at Monza in 2003," said the 29-year-old, whose best finish at the Italian Grand Prix was eighth in 2013. "I won and then went on to win every race of that season. I have had some other big results at Monza too throughout my career, so it holds lots of good memories."