Grosjean, between impatience and apprehension

Romain Grosjean can't wait to get back behind the wheel, the course of his life as a professional driver and enthusiast. To rediscover the sensations that all the esports races in the world combined cannot provide. 

While the end of his journey in Formula 1 was recorded last October, the Frenchman had already madeIndyCar his priority to bounce back. Just before the Emilia-Romagna GP in Imola (October 31 – November 1), Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) made him an offer for a full program in 2021. 

A tempting prospect for Grosjean, who dreams like many of competing and adding the Indianapolis 500 to his list of achievements. And then there was the Bahrain GP, ​​this hellish first lap, this miraculous escape from the flames. And the questions that accompany such a significant experience. 

« After the accident I said I didn't feel like racing on superspeedways like Texas or Indianapolis, confided Grosjean after his move to IndyCar with DCR was made official. I would dream of winning the Indy 500 but I don't feel like doing it right now.

As a father of 3 children, I must be reasonable in my decisions and career choices. I don't feel comfortable, not so much personally as with my children and my wife. I'm going to take a look at the short Gateway route but I don't want to take any risks ». 

• Family decision

Grosjean is not closing the door to the big oval circuits definitively but the memory of Bahrain is still too fresh in the collective memory and especially that of his family.

The Frenchman first considered taking a sabbatical. And then the naturalness and the desire to do battle on the track quickly returned at a gallop. Taking a look at the Indycar calendar, Grosjean realized that the road and street circuits were largely in the majority compared to the ovals, and an agreement was reached with DCR to switch to a partial but still copious program of 13 races out of 17.

« We talked a lot as a family, further clarified the person concerned. It's a collective decision. I wasn't going to go against the advice of my people. They supported me throughout the project. My children also participated in the design of my new helmet. Everyone had to be at peace with this choice ». 

A new helmet where we also find a Phoenix, a symbol associated with Grosjean since his incredible escape from the flames in Sakhir. “ This is part of my story “, he soberly underlined.

• New language

After a decade in Formula 1, the Genevan is preparing to discover a New World. What does he expect across the Atlantic?

« There are quite a few things to learn, recognized Grosjean. The circuits, the car, which does not have power steering. This will be a first for me since the GP2 Series in 2011. There are also refueling and the surrounding strategy, settings, etc. 

The way of expressing oneself is also different. In the USA, we talk about miles per gallon to talk about gasoline consumption. I know the liters per 100 kilometers. I will be a beginner. There will necessarily be a learning phase ». 

Grosjean must discover his new machine during a first test organized on February 1, if the pandemic situation allows him to travel to the United States without incident. 

• Renaissance

The Frenchman, whose left hand still bears the scars of the burns suffered in Bahrain, does not expect to perform 100% during these pre-season tests. But how does he feel mentally at the dawn of his reunion with the track? Beyond the legitimate enthusiasm, does he not have a touch of apprehension?

« In terms of pure driving, I can't wait, replied Grosjean. Winter is too long. Well at the same time my hand wouldn't have allowed me to ride sooner. 

As for apprehension, I don't know at the moment. I have to wait until I'm at the start of the first race and see what it's like to ride in a peloton again ». 

It will be April 18 in Barber, Alabama, one day after his 35th birthday. A new beginning as a form of rebirth.