Romain Grosjean not willing to "risk ovals" in IndyCar after Bahrain crash

Romain Grosjean

Grosjean not willing to "risk ovals" in IndyCar after Bahrain crash

Grosjean has signed for Dale Coyne to drive street and road courses this year

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 3 February 2021 16:35

Romain Grosjean has conceded his horrific accident in last season's Bahrain Grand Prix was the driving factor behind him ruling out oval racing in IndyCar this year.

Grosjean miraculously escaped relatively unscathed from his fiery crash last season, although burns to his hands prevented the Frenchman from competing in the final two grands prix of the season.

After announcing his switch to America's premium open-wheel category for the Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing entry, Grosjean revealed he had originally changed his mind over potentially skipping the four oval races on the calendar.

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When asked if the Bahrain crash had influenced his decision to run a part-season, Grosjean said: "Yes, 100%.

"I got in contact with Dale Coyne before the Bahrain incident - I think the week before Imola," he explained.

"We got on very nicely and he made us an offer. I was going to do the full championship but then obviously, Bahrain happened.

"I think for a moment, I thought I was dead in Bahrain and being a father with three kids, I need to be sensible with my decisions, my choices in the future and at the minute I don't feel comfortable - not especially for me but more for my kids and my wife - to risk ovals, at least the speedway.

"There may be options, I could look at Gateway, the short track but the superspeedways, I really don't feel like I can risk that for my kids and my wife."

Grosjean's decision to miss the ovals means that he will definitely miss the Indianapolis 500 as well as double-header at the Texas Motorspeedway, while Gateway rounds of the championship.

Grosjean, however, has not completely ruled out the possibility of running on ovals in the future.

"The first text message I got from my friend and manager Martin after the accident was 'let's forget IndyCar' and obviously, after such a shock and such a terrible day, you can understand," he added.

"But then I said I think it is still possible, I still want to do it. I think ovals, yes, I agree it is something I don't know and the risk is there but the other races... I mean motorsport is always risky, don't get me wrong and that we know since we do go-kart.

"But then it is which level do you accept to get and as I said, for now, ovals are not on the list. Maybe in the future, who knows but for now, it is not in the question."