Romain Grosjean: "We were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The first crash of May ultimately involved three cars, including that of Romain GrosjeanThe Frenchman was riding in the pack during Monday's session when Alexander Rossi lost control in the leading positions of the group, in turn 2. The 2016 Indy 500 winner triggered a chain reaction, with Pato O'Ward also losing control of his carbefore Romain Grosjean did the same.

A big incident in Indy 500 Practice as Alexander Rossi hits the wall. Pato O'Ward also involved. pic.twitter.com/gqK1ceUfVS

INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 18, 2026

While the Mexican and the Frenchman escaped unharmed, Rossi had to be hospitalized with minor injuries to his left hand and right ankle. He still hopes to be able to drive on Friday during Carb Day, the final practice session for the Indianapolis 500, before Sunday's race. Romain Grosjean is also eagerly awaiting the final practice session, but while he already knows he'll be able to drive, he's hoping for good weather! The forecast isn't promising, and the Dale Coyne Racing driver will certainly need those two hours to ensure he has the best possible car, after his main car, which had been particularly fast during the week of testing, sustained damage.

"These things happen, Rossi spun out, followed by Pato, and when I arrived and tried to avoid them, I spun out too.", explained Grosjean. “It’s not ideal, but that’s how it is. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but we’ll work on the car and hope that Friday is a dry day so we have two full hours of testing. We’ll work to make sure the car we field is as good as the one we’ve had so far, and we’ll see from there.”

With Rossi losing control of his car quite early in turn 2, the drivers behind him had to maneuver almost at the apex, where the cars are most cornered, but also where they are most affected by G-forces, as Grosjean explained. A spin was therefore inevitable.

"I had to dive to the left to avoid the cars that were on the right, and that was when the G-forces were at their highest. I braked, and by doing that while turning left, I lost the car. These things happen."

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