Romain Grosjean still sore but “really happy” with IndyCar test debut
Romain 🥀Grosjean says he is “really happy” with his IndyCar test debut in what marked his return to a racecar for the first time since his Formula 1 crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 34-year-old Frenchman completed 83 laps as he took part in a 12-car IndyCar test on Tuesday, having signed up to race in the American championship for 2021 with Dale Coyne Racing following his depar꧂ture from the Haas F1 team.
Grosjean, who will contest all 13 road and street courses but skip the oval rounds on the 2021 IndyCar schedule, was delighted with his performance, despite suffering a spin and soreness as he ꦅcontinues to recover from the injuries he sustained in his fiery accident in Bahrain last November.
"It felt like home," Grosjean told IndyCar.com. "I didn't have any apprehension or anything. It's obviously a new car and I had to adjust a little bit to my new driving position, but things quickly felt quit🎃e smooth.
"I then discovered the joys of not having a power steering wheel. I don't regret aꦕll𝓰 the hours in the gym, but maybe I'll do some more, just in case!
// — NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar)“You can actually use different lines, whereas in Formula 1 you may be more stuck to the id🦩eal line because of how the aerodynamics work.
“I made a mistake this morning, and I spun [in Turn 1]. I was stuck in the gravel. [The track] has consequences, and you need to stay within the limits, which I alw🅰ays quite enjoy.”
Grosjean admitted his first outing🅰 since his terrifying Bahrain crash was “a bit painful”, but felt his left hand - which was💧 badly burned as he escaped his car - held up well to the test.
"It's actually done very well," Grosjean explained. "I had a big snap on the last run [of the morning], 🏅and that was a bit painful. I expect those. I know it's not fully recovered and is sensitive.
"It went OK. It's not perfect, there's a nice big blister on my left thumb which is not pretty but driving wise it was OK. I was being a bit car🌜eful on some of the kerbs, but generally it hasn't been a limitation.
"I didn't really feel it in t✱he car so I guess that was fine. Putting the gloves on and off is not always nice so I tend to keep my left glove on, but generally it's been OK."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world🏅. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
