Tag: Romain Grosjean

Romain Grosjean is searching for a better IndyCar future with his move to Juncos Hollinger Racing. To turn that hope into reality, a commitment to remain calm and focused from the team and driver will be required if they want to get the most out of the relationship.

Coming from an often disappointing and occasionally combative relationship with his former team, Andretti Global, the open-wheel veteran and self-avowed perfectionist sees great potential within JHR, but he will need to manage his expectations for the midfield organization as it attempts to perform at a higher level. Mistakes will be made, which means tempers could flare, and it’s here where Grosjean says he’s fully aware of the combustible surroundings he’s chosen.

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“Well, I’ve tried to avoid explosions as much as I can,” he told RACER. “But we’ll see. I think time will tell. I think I’m aware of all those questions. I think that’s a big talking point right now. We may be surprising[ly] good and we may be surprising[ly] bad. I’ll do my best for sure on my hand on my end and I’ll try to improve and I think you can always improve in life. And thank God I’m not perfect.

“But I also feel like it could be a different atmosphere and feeling, and an ongoing relationship with Juncos. So far, I’ve really enjoyed the time that I spent with Ricardo [Juncos] — got lucky to spend quite a bit of time with him in COTA during the Formula 1 weekend, which was nice. I think we are aware of that potential situation.”

In moving to his third team in three years, Grosjean also arrives at JHR without his trusty race engineer Olivier Boisson, who worked with him to great effect in 2021 at Dale Coyne Racing and went with him to Andretti in 2022-23. With Boisson staying at Andretti to run Grosjean’s replacement, 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson, the new driver of the No. 77 JHR Chevy will embark on building a relationship with technical director Yves Touron and the rest of the entry’s engineering team in the months ahead.

“It’s going to be a difference,” he said. “When I joined Andretti, I had Olivier coming with me so that made the transition a little bit easier. But also I’m excited to discover new talents, new people, a new way of working in IndyCar. So that’s something I’ve done through all my career and I’m excited that that I get the chance to do that. It’s good that Yves is French as well so I get the chance to practice my French over the race weekend.”

The next chapter of Juncos Hollinger Racing’s IndyCar story will feature Romain Grosjean, who joins JHR as the new driver of the No. 77 Chevy. The Swiss-born Frenchman will partner with the returning Agustin Canapino in the No. 78 entry.

Together, they are tasked with turning JHR into a more formidable squad after Grosjean’s predecessor, Callum Ilott, set new expectations for the team in 2023.

Bienvenue to Juncos Hollinger Racing, Romain Grosjean! We’re thrilled to welcome the Frenchman to our 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver line-up onboard the #77 Dallara-Chevrolet. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4JficCpXst

— Juncos Hollinger Racing (@juncoshollinger) November 2, 2023

“I’ve been closely following JHR’s ascension in the past few seasons,” Grosjean said. “The team has showcased significant growth, and I am eager to contribute my experience as we aim for a strong 2024 season.”

For Grosjean, the move to JHR is his third in the NTT IndyCar Series since 2021. Following a Formula 1 career that spanned 2009-2020, Grosjean relocated to the American open-wheel series with Dale Coyne Racing, and after making an impact with the smaller operation, Andretti Global acquired his services for two star-crossed seasons where he earned consecutive runs to 13th in the championship standings.

With his introduction at JHR, Grosjean inherits a seat that features strong engineering that propelled the No. 77 to a pair of fifth-place road and street course finishes last season, and a number of strong runs on ovals.

In Grosjean, the team owned by Ricardo Juncos and Brad Hollinger receives one of IndyCar’s fastest drivers who has earned three pole positions and five second-place finishes. Grosjean also continues to hunt for his first win and the consistency he and the JHR team will need to move the outfit forward in the paddock.

“Romain brings an unparalleled pedigree in motorsports. His leadership and experience are precisely what we need to propel JHR to new heights in the NTT IndyCar Series,” said team principal Ricardo Juncos.

JHR co-owner Hollinger added: “Romain has a history of competing at the pinnacle of motorsports. His expertise will be invaluable as we strive to redefine our performance metrics, both on and off the track.”

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Grosjean serves at the most experienced open-wheel driver to join JHR, and with the 37-year-old’s vast range of skills and insights into how the bigger teams he’s driven for have produced their success, Grosjean’s contributions to JHR could extend far beyond the cockpit.

Having signed with Lamborghini as a factory driver for its new IMSA GTP program, Grosjean will be busy in 2024 as he blends IndyCar duties with JHR, endurance testing and racing activities with the Italian brand, and Formula 1 commentary.

He’ll also have an interesting time navigating the inner workings of his new team after its unseemly split with Ilott, the departure of veteran team manager Vince Kremer, and the appointment of a new team manager in Dave Morgan.

Grosjean’s occasional volatility, expressed over the radio to his team or in person on pit lane, could make for a combustible combination at JHR, but both sides entered into the new arrangement with a full understanding of what they can produce together if emotions are kept in check.

With Canapino returning for his second IndyCar season, Grosjean could play a meaningful role in aiding the 33-year-old Argentinian’s finer development as the lifelong touring car driver looks for the smaller and harder to find gains in his new form of racing.