Romain Grosjean tried IndyCar ovals. Now he wants a seat at the big children’s table for the largest oval race in the world.
Grosjean, the former Formula 1 driver who will compete in the DHL Honda No. 28 for Andretti Autosport next season, completed his Rookie Orientation Program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday. He shared the stage that day with Jimmie Johnson, who also did the Indy 500 rookie program. While Johnson is still discussing the advantages and disadvantages of racing on the big ovals in IndyCar with his family, Grosjean will be all-in for Andretti in 2022 for an entire season.
Much like Johnson, Grosjean said he felt encouraged by Wednesday’s meeting at the brickyard.
“I think the most stressful part was really knowing what my first lap speed would be,” Grosjean said in a Zoom interview with the media on Wednesday. “You’re growing up or moving away from there. I had no idea what to expect to get to 205. Then it went pretty smoothly, it was fun. When you have to get over 215, the fun begins. “
Oddly enough, Wednesday’s test was also the first time Grosjean personally saw single-seat Indy cars that traditionally drove counterclockwise on the speedway.
“That’s right,” said Grosjean. “I lived on the speedway with my boss, with my family. We saw the two-seaters. This is basically the only time I’ve seen cars head in that direction.”
Romain Grosjean is ready for next year’s Indy 500 after completing the Rookie Orientation Program in Indianapolis.
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Grosjean lost his Formula 1 drive in 2019 after five seasons with the Haas F1 team. Last year, Grosjean came to the US to drive Indy cars for team owner Dale Coyne. He had a solid season with three podiums in 13 races, including runners-up in two road races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now he stands in yellow number 24 for Andretti.
“I mean, I think when I look at last year it’s been an amazing journey from fire (in Bahrain) to racing for one of the biggest names in motorsport,” said Grosjean. “I am grateful for the opportunity I have. Every day I remember how happy I am to be alive, how happy I got into IndyCar and realized that it is a place where I can be super happy.
“To be on a team like Andretti, to have Michael (Andretti) in the morning, to have all the engineers and the database together, all of this is of course a great thing. I realize every day that I am living something very beautiful.” something special. When it’s a bad day or you know things are not right, I think, hey, you can be grateful for what you have right now and I have to enjoy it. “
Grosjean hit 228 mph in his rookie test. Fast, yes, but not the fastest he has driven in a racing car. That would be 236, which he achieved on the Formula 1 track in Mexico.
“Again the question, always ask how fast it is,” said Grosjean. “It doesn’t feel fast because you drive straight on a designated route and then go into a curve. Yeah you know it’s fast When something goes wrong, it goes wrong very, very quickly. Everything is under control and the car feels good, it feels like it’s normal. “
CHRIS OWENS
Andretti Autosport’s newest driver is getting used to the new car in addition to his new trip on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While the differences aren’t as dramatic as those between an F1 car and its Indy car, the differences between Dale Coyne Racing and Andretti machines take a bit of getting used to.
“Well the steering wheel is different because each team can put the buttons where they want,” said Grosjean. “Some of the buttons are different. You have to get used to them. I pressed the overtaking button for the pit limiter a few times, a couple of things like that. The screen, the dash, was also a bit different to be used to.
“The cockpit feels pretty much the same, especially because we were able to transfer my seat from Dale Coyne to Andretti. All of my seating positions were the same. while we’re doing mine now, that was a little different from what I ideally wished for.
“Other than that, it was good. It just went and raced.”
Grosjean got his first taste of an oval last season at Gateway, where he started 14th and finished 14th. More importantly, he finished the race and ran in the end. Now is the time to take his IndyCar career to the next level with Andretti.
“They want to fight for championships, to be at the top,” said Grosjean. “I feel comfortable with my decision. I think you have to respect ovals a lot. Today, as I said, it doesn’t feel fast when everything is going well, but when you start to lose the heck.” one, two, three or four, you know the wall is there.
“You can still do about 200 miles an hour. Cars are getting safer.
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