GP Indy: First for VeeKay, Grosjean 2nd

In good spirits since the start of the weekend, the Dutchman took the top step of the podium, ahead of the Frenchman. Rinus VeeKay (Ed Carpenter Racing) won the first victory of his career, ahead of almost five seconds Romain Grosjean (Dale Coyne Racing), and by 15 seconds Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi) on the road in Indianapolis.

Among the fastest since the start of the weekend, the 20-year-old Dutchman had been less efficient in qualifying (7th), but he was imperial on Saturday to give his team its first victory since 2016 (Josef Newgarden at Iowa ). 

Romain Grosjean may have been dominant during the first half of the race, but he had to give in to the high speed and strategy of one of the rare drivers in the top 10 to have started on hard tires. Despite everything, the Frenchman signs his first podium since 2015 (Spa), a real feat even though he has only competed in three races in IndyCar. 

“It was a very good weekend,” reacted the ex-driver Haas, we are obviously disappointed to finish 2nd even though we had a car to win, but we were a little unlucky with the traffic, and Rinus and his team played it well. »
 

That's a second place finish for Grosjean in the #IndyGP his first @IndyCar podium!!! @IMS

- Dale Coyne Racing (@DaleCoyneRacing) May 15, 2021

The Genevan has long seemed capable of winning. He first managed his first flying start perfectly as a pole sitter by surprising Josef Newgarden, who accompanied him on the front row. On the fifth lap, during the first restart of the race, he was not going to suffer further against Jack Harvey, then in 2nd position.

The ex-pilot of F1 led the first half of the race at ease, quickly widening a gap of several seconds on his pursuers. On the 37th lap, he even saw the Harvey threat disappear, after a disastrous pit-stop followed by a puncture for the Englishman, who was then his runner-up.

At the end of his 2nd refueling (44th lap), Grosjean was however not going to be able to resist Rinus VeeKay (Ed Carpenter Racing), who had stopped on the 37th lap. The Dutchman took the lead of the race by passing him during the 49th loop.

The Frenchman was going to take the lead again when VeeKay returned to the pitlane (60th lap), but the Dutchman was back in the lead after Grosjean's last pass through his box (63rd lap).

With more than three seconds of margin, the Dutchman's position was favorable, and he was going to widen the gap to win calmly on a circuit which was successful for him since he had signed his first podium there (3rd) in October last, during his rookie year. 

Unable to convert his pole into victory, Romain Grosjean can only be satisfied by a weekend where he proved that he should be considered a contender for victory, particularly on road circuits.

simon pagenaud (Team Penske) had a great race finishing in 6th position, after starting from 10th place.

For Sébastien Bourdais (AJ Foyt), his weekend is one to forget, with a car that was never in the running and a final 19th place.

Discover the report of the GP Indy in issue 2312 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version and from this Wednesday on newsstands.