Romain Grosjean: “I feel like I really have a chance to play here”

How is your adaptation to this new discipline continuing?

In fact, in Barber (Alabama, during the first test, February 23, editor's note), the goal was above all to understand the car. At Laguna Seca (California, March 2, Editor's note), we were able to start focusing on performance, on how to be fast, which is really different from what I experienced in F1. You have to adapt, but we are progressing and I was not unhappy with my times. Before the first round of the season (April 18, in Barber. Editor's note), we will also have a test in Sebring (Florida. Editor's note) which will be important.

What did you think of this Laguna Seca route…

I was a bit of a kid when I arrived because it was one of the circuits on my list of places I wanted to drive. Obviously the first lap in the car was special. Going down the Corkscrew (downhill turn that made the route famous. Editor's note) was a great experience. We find ourselves taking a fairly slow turn blindly. But what struck me the most was that the descent was very, very long. Really, it's a good circuit.

How is your collaboration with your teammate Ed Jones?

We actually like the same kind of cars, which is a positive thing. At Laguna Seca, with his team (devolved to No. 18. Editor's note), they went in a direction which did not bring them satisfaction. Before the last run, we shared our settings. They adopted ours and he achieved the best time.

Find the entire interview in AUTOhebdo No. 2302, available in digital version and on newsstands.