After nine consecutive seasons as a regular driver, Romain Grosjean found himself without a place in Formula 1. The memory of his last participation in the World Championship was indelibly portrayed in history: a horrifying crash at the Bahrain GP in which he spent 27 seconds inside his Haas engulfed in flames. With the F1 chapter closed, the Frenchman decided to venture into IndyCar.
Grosjean's debut in the American series was with the Dale Coyne Racing team in 2021, with one detail: he was not going to race on ovals due to the danger they represent and because his children "believed they had lost their father in Bahrain," he would say at the time. But after the first part of the season passed, the Frenchman joined the races on oval tracks. Since 2022, he has joined the ranks of the Andretti team, where he continues to race in the 2023 season that is being broadcasted by Star+.
With the experience accumulated in both formula car categories, Grosjean was asked on the Track Limits podcast about the differences and similarities between them. "The world of IndyCar is very different, much more human and close. After ten years in the top category of motorsport, that's exactly what I needed," he said.
"I loved driving a Formula 1 car, but ten years doing the same thing is too much. And even though the passion was still there, I wanted something new. And in IndyCar, I really enjoy it and feel positive emotions every time it's time to get in the car, because there is always an opportunity to win," said the Frenchman, who has never been defeated in the American division.
Regarding the technology and performance of a Formula 1 car and an IndyCar, Romain pointed out: "From a technical point of view, an IndyCar is 30 years behind a Formula 1 car. It is not very cost-effective, but it is also not very expensive to manage, and the on-track action is one of the best in the world. And in terms of handling, you keep your hands on the steering wheel almost all the time. You worry about driving, not pressing buttons on the steering wheel all the time. And the cars are phenomenal."