Romain Grosjean redoes his ranges

Romain Grosjean is back in Grand Touring. 13 years after his participation in 24 Hours of Le Mans with Matech Competition at the wheel of a Ford GT1, it is with a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 that the Frenchman must regain his bearings for the 24 2023 Hours of Daytona.

Obviously, in more than a decade, a lot of things have changed. « I have a lot to discover with the GT3 and the circuit, even if the latter is not the most complicated, but also rediscover the feeling of sharing your car with teammates after so many years, explains Romain Grosjean to AUTOhebdo.

It's quite different from what I remembered. The only thing I found that I was used to 13 years ago is that the car moves a lot. It's still GT, but it's also very different. In GT1, we didn't have ABS or traction control. This allows you to discover new things. It's great to gain experience like this. When I see the prototypes passing by, I tell myself that I would like to be in them, but that will be for next year! »

Romain Grosjean drives the #63 Lamborghini of Iron Lynx at Daytona (Photo: Iron Lynx)

While waiting for 2024, the Habs discover their new team, Iron Lynx. In Florida, he shares the No. 63 for the Italian team with Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli and Jordan Pepper. Pilots experienced in GT who guide the accustomed to the car.

« The atmosphere is great in the team, the other drivers help me a lot, admits Grosjean. I still need to improve on two corners where I am not at my best. The hardest thing to understand is ABS, especially since the brake is normally my strong point in motorsport, so it neglects that side a little. I need to get used to it. We are starting to have a good rhythm, the settings are defined and good. All that's left to do is leave within 24 hours. »

A Lamborghini a little short on top speed

Reliability will be a key factor on the Florida classic. However, the green Lamborghini experienced an alert during Free Practice 1 on Thursday when it stopped at the side of the track due to a problem with the transmission shaft. However, this is not what worries Romain Grosjean the most before the event.

« The only downside is our top speed. This will make the peloton race a little more complicated », admits the former pilot of Formula 1. Surtout que le quatuor partira de la 42e position sur la grille, en 6e de la catégorie GTD Pro. Pour le départ, c’est Jordan Pepper qui sera au volant. À l’instar des nouvelles Porsche et Ferrari, the new evolution of the GT3 from Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy) is struggling to reach the same level as the Mercedes-AMG. 

« The Mercedes and Aston Martin are really far ahead, Lexus next, Judge Grosjean. The three new cars are suffering a little, even if we are doing the best in this trio. We will have to optimize our racing chances. American races are different from those held in Europe. Every time there is a Safety Car, it puts everyone back in the game. You have to be there at the right time, have the right strategy and have a little more fuel than the others so as not to have to stop when everyone goes into the pits. »

Romain Grosjean at Daytona (Photo: Iron Lynx)

The Andretti Autosport driver in IndyCar must also get used to traffic management and continue to get used to his new mount. The Habs have thus identified the areas where they can still improve. “ I enter the Bus Stop chicane too hard and I come out badly, whereas before it was the opposite. And at the hairpin, I have to use the ABS more to better prepare for the exit. I'm tempted to turn it off, but it doesn't seem to work, so I'm keeping it! » 

Romain Grosjean seems to have found the right compromise. After our interview, the Frenchman took second place in his class during Free Practice 4 in Florida, the final running session for the GTD Pro before the race, just 0.038 seconds behind the No. 3 WeatherTech Mercedes-AMG GT79. Racing. See you at 19:40 p.m. (French time) this Saturday for the start of the 61st edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona.

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