Grosjean: "I want to win again"
CHANGE TO THE INDYCARS Romain Grosjean from Geneva is switching to the IndyCar Series in 2021. As he does not want to contest any oval races, there will certainly not be a duel with Simona de Silvestro in Indianapolis. In an interview conducted in English, Romain Grosjean addresses some interesting questions. Romain Grosjean's Formula 1 career came to an end with the fire accident in Bahrain [...]
In an interview conducted in English, Romain Grosjean comments on interesting questions.
Romain Grosjean's Formula 1 career came to an abrupt end with the fire accident in Bahrain on November 29, 2020. However, his departure from GP racing was already a foregone conclusion.
At that time, the Geneva native had long had contacts with the "outside world. For example, with the American Dale Coyne.
Fruitful preliminary work
The owner and boss of an IndyCar team knew about the imminent retirement of the Franco-Swiss from Formula 1, because there was simply nowhere left for him, and contacted him several times.
Coyne is convinced that Grosjean can bring his still undisputed talent to bear in IndyCars, especially on conventional circuits and typical road courses. Now they have come together.
Indianapolis yes, but not on the oval
However, the 34-year-old will not be competing in any oval races with the Dallara-Honda from Dale Coyne Racing, of which there are not many left anyway. So the clash with Simona de Silvestro, who wants to qualify for the Indy 500 and compete there for the sixth time, will only take place on the fringes of the speedway. Two weeks before the Lausanne-based driver, Grosjean will be racing on the Indianapolis road course.
He explains the reason in the video interview.
Romain Grosjean: "As much as I'd like to drive and win there and on other oval circuits, the risk is too great for me now after the accident in Bahrain. I don't want to tempt fate even more."
Last victories in GP2
His hunger for victory is unchanged, especially since he has never been at the top since his time in GP2. In nine seasons in Formula 1, he never managed to do so, which was largely due to the material. Nevertheless, he did manage two second and seven third places in a total of 179 Grands Prix with Lotus. Most recently with HaasF1, his best results since 2016 have been fourth and fifth places.
He believes that he should not find the change difficult.
Romain Grosjean: "The handling of an IndyCar wouldn't have to be far removed from GP2 race cars, with which I've won races and titles. That's why wins are now my goal in the U.S., too, although this certainly won't happen overnight."
Grosjean will be in action in the IndyCar for the first time on February 22 on the occasion of official tests. The 2021 IndyCar Series season starts on April 18 at Barber Motorsports Park. By then, the rookie should have fully recovered from his burn injuries.
Dual citizens with Swiss roots
Romain Grosjean, whose father is Swiss and mother French, started his career in formula racing with a superior title win in the 2003 Swiss Formula A/Lista Junior Championship, in which he won all ten races in a Formula Renault Monza.
With the exception of the 2010 GT1 contract period with the Matech team run by Switzerland's Martin Bartek, Grosjean has always driven under a French license thereafter. It is likely that the father of three children will continue to appear as a Frenchman in the USA.
