Romain Grosjean is a multi-time champion in European junior formulae, multi-time Formula One podium finisher, and after sustaining burns in a fiery crash at the 2020 season ending F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, moved to the NTT IndyCar Series where he’s also scored multiple podium finishes. Grosjean has always been quick in a race car – provided that his race car was up to the task. This interview took place just moments after he got off-stage of the post-race press conference at the 2022 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. He finished on the podium there in second place. This is a special place for Grosjean as he was also announced as the driver of the DHL entry for Andretti Autosport at this event last year. By the way, if you speak French, there’s a special treat for you at the end of the interview. Enjoy!
NOTE: Grosjean was on pace (up by 0.2 second) in the Firestone Fast Six to earn pole position (with only 2 seconds left in the session) when he clipped the left rear corner of his car in Turn 4 and then couldn’t make Turn 5 where he nosed it into the tire barrier. The only good news is that he hit the DHL banner for extra TV coverage. . .
By Larry Mason
Copyright © 2022 Larry Mason
Romain Grosjean gives a “thumbs up” to the fans, just prior to the start of the 2022 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Grosjean takes a break in the shade on Friday morning of race weekend. Temps on Friday were well into the 90s F.
Grosjean’s yellow and red colors were easy to spot anywhere around the coastal circuit. His helmet design also matched his car’s colors.
Romain Grosjean leapt from the remains of his fiery crash-damaged F1car two years ago to race again. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, he’s incorporated that symbol on his driving shoes.
Grosjean was on his way to a track record pole position when he crashed into the DHL banner in Turn 5. Here he’s on his way back to the pits from that incident.
Grosjean lost his fast lap in qualifying due to his crash causing a red flag. He still qualified sixth and is running in that position down Shoreline Drive early in the Grand Prix.
If you look carefully at Romain Grosjean’s helmet, you’ll see a picture of Lightning McQueen on the side. Did that help him move up from sixth to second at the finish?
Always pushing hard, Grosjean grabs a lot of curbing in Turn 5 – but was it too much?
A fraction of a second later, Grosjean has a huge sideways moment, but kept his foot in it to keep moving forward.
Second place was the reward for Grosjean’s efforts. It looked like he might be able to challenge Newgarden for the win with a late race re-start, but as you can see here, he’s happy to be on the podium.
Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason