Romain Grosjean looking at future Le Mans outing

Romain Grosjean

Grosjean looking at future Le Mans outing

Grosjean competed in the 24-hour race in 2010

Ewan Gale

Friday 12 February 2021 09:30

Romain Grosjean will look at a return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in the future after confirming his racing comeback in IndyCar.

The Frenchman will race for 'Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing' this seasonas he takes to the racetrack for the first time since ending his Formula 1 career with a fireball crash in Bahrain last year.

But Grosjean, who competed at Le Mans in 2010, has not ruled out a return to the Circuit de la Sarthe in the future with endurance racing remaining on his radar.

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“Yes, it is on the list for the future," he revealed. "Right now, it is going to be Indycar. I am going to be based in Europe still so I am going to be travelling a fair bit between Europe and the US.

"Endurance is something I am really keen to do. I spoke with [former Haas F1 team-mate] Kevin Magnussen after the 24 Hours of Daytona and he absolutely loved it.

"Obviously, they [Magnussen's Chip Ganassi team] were unlucky with the puncture five laps from the end but he absolutely loved it and he was very happy that he could fight for a win.

"He did a brilliant job there and sharing a car with a team-mate is definitely something I would love to do. Le Mans is up there on the list as well as Sebring, Petit Le Mans and the Daytona 24 Hours. Many, many races that I would like to compete in.”

On whether he had an option to enter endurance racing this year, he added: “I won’t give much [detail], but there were a few talks, a few opportunities.

"Some in endurance, some in Formula E and IndyCar. But definitely, IndyCar was the choice in my heart and I really wanted to go there because I feel I can have fun and enjoy my racing time which I have not enjoyed in the last few years."

Another experienced rookie in IndyCar this season will be seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson at 45 years of age.

With Johnson 10 years Grosjean's senior, the former Renault, Lotus and Haas driver was asked whether IndyCar was a long term commitment, to which he replied: “In all fairness, I don’t know.

"It could well be. What I want is to be happy and to enjoy my time in racing and if I do, then most likely I would stay longer for sure.

"If things don’t go to plan for any reason, then I would come back to Europe. But I think it is going to be great.”