"It was better towards the end": Romain Grosjean renewed and found himself in the gravel

“I felt right at home.

I had no apprehension, I just wanted to drive.

The ordeal has changed, but the determination and the desire are the same.

Almost three months after his terrible crash in Formula 1 at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean has therefore returned to a single-seater, that of the Dale Coyne Racing team, which he will drive this year in the United States in the Indycar championship. .

The 34-year-old Franco-Swiss rider set off for a few installation laps and a few quick runs at the Barber Motorsports Park circuit in Alabama, where the season kicks off on April 18.

“The first few laps, my muscles weren't very warm, but things were better towards the end, which is a good sign,” he said, getting out of his seat with a big smile.

His hands bruised by the flames still bear the scars of the terrible accident.

New car.

New series.

Same determination. # INDYCAR // @RGrosjean pic.twitter.com/xuPqkl0PBf

- NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) February 23, 2021

"It was an instructive experience"

The session started off in a funny way, however, since from the first turn, the former driver from Haas (Team also American) found himself… in the gravel.

Grosjean explained that a “heel-toe” (accelerating while braking during downshifting) had destabilized the car.

"In Formula 1, that would stabilize it," he said.

It was an instructive experience, after I didn't do it again and it was better.

"

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Why Romain Grosjean arrives in Indycar

On November 29, the one who saw his F1 car break in two in a shock at 220 km / h saw death up close.

After several days of convalescence and intensive care given to his two severely burned hands, he had found the family cocoon, his wife Marion and his three children.

He said he spoke to them a lot, saying they were "happy" that he was back in competition.

It is also with a helmet designed by them that he returned.

That helmet ❤❤❤

I'm so happy to finally wear it.

It means much more than I could even imagine when it was created at home early November.

@marionjolles, Sacha, Simon & Camille will be with me more than ever 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 # r8g #indycar # us2021 pic.twitter.com/P3DpoNia9W

- Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) February 22, 2021

In Alabama, Romain Grosjean was also delighted to find new acquaintances, namely the Japanese Takuma Sato and his compatriot Sébastien Bourdais (four times champion of Champcar, the series which preceded the Indycar from 2004 to 2007).

“You arrive in the pit lane, I was talking to Sébastien Bourdais, Takuma (Sato) came by, and we had a good conversation next to his car.

The conversation is going as planned, and every time you take your headset off it feels like everyone is friendly and enjoys talking and chatting.

»He will also find another French driver on his way, Simon Pagenaud, crowned in Indycar in 2016 and winner in 2019 of the legendary Indianapolis 500 Miles.