Indy 500 – “It’s a good start”, Grosjean relishes his successful qualifying

For his first year in IndyCar in 2021, Romain Grosjean had decided to skip the ovals. Too soon after his accident at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, the Habs preferred to focus on the drivers while he adapted to his new environment and his new life.

Refreshed after a successful first season on the other side of the Atlantic, Romain Grosjean reviewed his plans for 2022 and chose to add oval races with the Indy 500 in his sights. , the native of Geneva was therefore at Indianapolis where he competed in his first qualifications for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” which can be translated as “The greatest spectacle in motor racing”.

Although a novice compared to the majority of his counterparts, the former pilot of F1 did not miss his introduction with the 9^e qualifying time ahead of some experienced winners like simon pagenaud, Helio Castroneves or even Takuma Sato.

« I'm very happy with what we accomplished in my first ever Indy 500., admitted Romain Grosjean.  We finished in the Top 9 in each qualifying session (Indy 500 qualifying being split into two days). Obviously you always aspire for better and we did our best to have a very fast car today. It was probably a little too much for the track conditions, but it was a great effort from everyone on the team (...) It's a good start but the most important day is next Sunday when there will be 200 laps to complete and that's what we have to work on now."

Row 3. P9. @RGrosjean will start his first ever Indianapolis 500 from the outside of the third row. #AllAndretti / # Indy500 / #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/nykTT6oDYR

— Andretti INDYCAR & INDY NXT (@AndrettiIndy) May 22, 2022

A unique race for Grosjean

With stars in his eyes like a child in a candy store, Romain Grosjean did not hide his emotion when talking about his participation in one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Already all smiles during qualifying, the Habs are impatiently awaiting D-Day.

« There are a few races in the world that you definitely want to win: 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500He says. If you can do it, you'll win the triple crown. (in reality the triple crown is won by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500 and the F1 world championship. Editor's note). It's unique. I won't make it because Monaco has never been kind to me but I'm delighted to be here (in Indianapolis). It's a great experience.

This race is complicated. At first I said to myself “It’s about turning left and going hard all the time”. It's a little more than that actually. This is something every pilot in the world should experience. I was talking about it with Pato O'Ward and he told me to wait until the big day because it's unique. » See you on May 29 to find out the outcome of Romain Grosjean's first participation in the Indy 500.

Romain Grosjean with Pato O'Ward. ©Penske Entertainment: James Black

The results of the qualifications

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