Romain Grosjean confirms he is bound for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing in IndyCar in 2021, after his F1 career came to an end in 2020.
With his retirement from F1 having been confirmed in late October, there was speculation abound that Grosjean might join IndyCar in 2021, but a horrifying crash in the Bahrain GP meant activity in the rumor mill regarding his future slowed.
AJ Foyt Racing, a team that was said to be his most likely location, delivered an ostensible blow to his IndyCar aspirations when they confirmed Dalton Kellett, but recently new reports surfaced Grosjean was likely to race for DCR in the coming season.
This was confirmed by the team on Wednesday, with confirmation also coming that Grosjean would be driving the Rick Ware Racing-fielded #51 DCR car. The #51 car is one of two entered in a collaboration between the RWR organization and Dale Coyne Racing, with the other numbered 52 and entered for only select rounds.
Grosjean will be driving the road and street course races for 2021, of which there are a planned 13. It is possible that this number will be altered as the calendar continues to undergo changes.
“I’m very excited for this opportunity to race in the United States in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” said Grosjean. “I had different options in front of me for this coming season and choosing to go IndyCar Racing was definitively my favorite one. Although, I’m not ready yet to take on the ovals.
“IndyCar has a much more level playing field than what I have been used to in my career so far. It will be exciting to challenge for podiums and wins again. My left hand is still healing, but we are just about ready to get back into the race car and to start this next chapter of my career.”
Team boss Coyne said: “We’ve been talking to Romain for some time now, even before his accident at Bahrain. He has shown interest in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the past several months and we’re very happy that he has chosen to pursue his career with us and excited to welcome a driver with his pedigree to America, the Series and our team. We feel that he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the Series.”
And finally, Dale Coyne Racing with RWR co-entrant Rick Ware said: “We’re thrilled to be entering our first full season of NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing with Dale Coyne Racing, and to have a driver of the caliber of Romain Grosjean to run the street and road courses makes it that much more exciting for us. We’re looking forward to this season.”
A driver has yet to be named as one who will occupy Grosjean’s car for its oval races, but the likes of NASCAR’s Cody Ware have been mooted as possible candidates and an announcement is anticipated in due course. The driver for the #52 car alsoremains unknown.
More to come