Romain Grosjean is loving life in INDYCAR. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
The courage and resiliency displayed by Romain Grosjean, a formidable NTT INDYCAR Series racer, is unparalleled amongst his on track peers, much less, most athletes.
As mentioned in Part I of Grosjean’s “In the Fast Lane” interview, the 35-year-old, soon to be 36-year-old native of Geneva, Switzerland made the incredible leap from Formula 1 competition to NTT INDYCAR Series action last year. However, his path into one of the most prestigious racing series in the U.S. was not so clear and cut.
Prior to his thriving career in INDYCAR, Grosjean was one of the catalysts for Haas F1 Team from 2016 to 2020. His campaigns from 2018 to 2020 are well documented in Netflix’s Drive to Survive series with the Swiss-French racer taking the pressures of F1 in stride.
However, most drivers cannot match or fathom the harrowing experience that Grosjean endured in a fiery, opening lap crash at Bahrain International Circuit in late 2020. Grosjean endured the flames for nearly 28 seconds before he clambered out of his wrecked car, suffering second-degree burns on his hands.
However, Grosjean rose from the flames like a phoenix revitalized from the ashes. From that intense day on, starting from Nov. 29, 2020 to the present, Grosjean has adapted the nickname of “The Phoenix.” He’s determined to add to his inspirational racing story while pursuing his first victory in an open wheel car since his days in the GP2 Asia Series in 2011.
Today, Grosjean races as a full-time INDYCAR competitor, driving Andretti Autosport’s No. 28 DHL Honda Dallara, one of the series’ top rides. Ranked sixth in the driver’s standings and hot off the heels of a runner-up result in Long Beach, California.
Prior to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach last week, I interviewed Grosjean for a two part series. In this second and concluding part of Grosjean’s interview, the amiable racer talks about embracing his nickname, taking on the cartwheel challenge and what he learned from his days as a banker.
Now, let’s get to it for Part II of “In the Fast Lane with Romain Grosjean” here on TPF!
Rob Tiongson : Now I’m going to change things up a little bit, just because I’m trying to introduce you to newer racing fans who obviously read my website for NASCAR, and we’re building our IndyCar and F1 content.
For folks who may not know you very well, you have this amazing nickname called “The Phoenix,” of course, which came from a time where you’re just coming back from what happened in Bahrain in 2020 to being one of the most beloved drivers of IndyCar today.
How is it like knowing that you’re still standing strong today, and you’re still writing the story to your amazing career right now?
There’s no limits for Romain Grosjean. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Romain Grosjean : Yeah, it’s been incredible. It’s been an eventful last year and a half between the crash, then the decision to get back to racing in the States with Dale Coyne Racing, to signing with one of the biggest teams in the world, Andretti Autosport.
After the 2021 year, some friends told me, “Oh, OK, you can stop using ‘The Phoenix’ and find a new nickname, because the fire story is behind you.” And I said, “Guys, I don’t think ‘The Phoenix’ is only the fire. Obviously, it started with the fire, but it’s also rebirth through IndyCar, and a rebirth to try to win races.”
So I’d say “The Phoenix” is going to stick, because, yes, it came originally from the fire, but it’s now grown to a much bigger level, which is a rebirth from racing, and love racing, and trying to win race and championship.
I don’t know exactly, but it must be 3,900 days since I have won a race. So it’s about time, and I guess that’s part of “The Phoenix.” It’s the rebirth of having the chance to try to do that.
Tiongson : I love it. And you’re proof that, if you can overcome the most incredible odds, anyone can do what they want to do, and you’re just so determined. I love it. I can feel it right now in this interview, to say the least.
Now you’re also one of my favorite parts of Drive to Survive when you were doing that in 2018 through 2020, and obviously, it’s helped America know F1.
Now kind of reversing that and trying to get folks around the world to know IndyCar, do you think a similar type series is needed to gain exposure for IndyCar?
Grosjean : Yes. I want it so badly. I want it so badly. I’ll be happy to feature in any of the episodes. I mean, there’s such a big access and opening in IndyCar that it would be really good. And I hope it’s going to happen, definitely.
Tiongson : Well, I’ve got a few more questions for you, and we’re going to take things a lot more light-hearted. I don’t know if it’s going to be as light-hearted as when you talked to Alanis King, one of my journalist friends, but I’ll try my best.
Now I know Alanis has made you do cartwheels, which I hope hasn’t been too painful. But how have your practice cartwheels been going, and do you plan a big one when you win a race?
It’s only a matter of time before Grosjean scores a popular INDYCAR win. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Grosjean : Yes, that’s the plan of celebration is to do a cartwheel. And the only problem, if I win an oval, I’m spinning so badly that I may not be able to do it. But on a road course, I’m going to be fine.
Tiongson : Well, just make sure you don’t get too hurt, because we want to see you out there racing. And if you get hurt, I’ll blame Alanis for that. Now I know a lot of folks may not know this about you, or about me, even, but we share a common thread as bankers. So, I mean, good on you for doing that.
What’s some of the valuable experiences from being a banker and from other jobs you may have had that’s been so valuable for you as a racecar driver and the principles you hold as a person?
It’s only a matter of time before Grosjean scores a popular INDYCAR win. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Grosjean : I think being a banker, it was not so much about the banking, even though I liked that, and I think it’s quite interesting and challenging, the way you need to drive through. But it was more realizing what a normal life is, where you wake up in the morning, you put on a suit and a tie, you go to the bank, and you come back in the afternoon, and that’s your day.
Whereas when you’re a racing driver, you actually choose what you want to do in a day. And if you don’t have any structure, it can very quickly become messy.
But see, some of those young guys, they sleep until 10, 11. Then they play video games for most of the day. Maybe they go to the gym for one hour. They think that’s enough. And then they play again video games, and they don’t really have much structure.
It’s hard when you’re 18, 19, just to do that for yourself, because no one is here to tell you what to do. If you have a job, then obviously you need to show up there, and you’ve got time, and you just… so that’s what I see as a big positive from that experience.
Tiongson : I understand, for sure, because that’s what I do. And anything you can do outside of racing can certainly help if you apply those experiences well, as you have, to say the least. Now I’m going to put you in my shoes, which I hope they fit you, by the way.
But if you had to describe yourself, the racecar driver, in three words, which words would you choose, and why?
Grosjean’s made himself familiar with podium finishes in INDYCAR. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Grosjean : Passionate, motivated and talented.
Tiongson : I totally agree with you on those three points, so well done for sure. And my last question for you is this. This is going to be sort of a unique one that I haven’t asked a lot of drivers. What are some songs that you would say best define who you are as a person and a driver?
Grosjean : I think I’d pick one that we found recently. It was “I Was Born to Be A Cowboy” and it’s from Charlie Fink.
Tiongson : I’ll have to give that a listen.
Grosjean : It works pretty well with me, because I was born to be a race driver, and I know it.
Tiongson : That’s awesome, man. I’m so glad you’re a racecar driver, because we need good stories and good folks like you to help motorsports grow and excel. So, Romain, is there anything else you want to say to the fans here who are going to be listening in or reading my interview with you?
Grosjean looks forward to seeing more of his fans across the U.S. while pursuing the INDYCAR title. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Grosjean : No, just thank you again for the support. I want to see the DHL “Team Phoenix” (fans) as much as I can at the racetrack, and I’m trying to put it on my Instagram as much as I can when I see people wearing the team kits.
I feel like we’re a team, and can’t wait to meet then in Long Beach, and Barber, and so on and so on.
Tiongson : Absolutely. And hopefully one of these days, you guys come back to Austin. We miss having IndyCar here, and I would love for you to be at COTA again so we can do one of these one-on-ones in person.
Grosjean : Yeah. Let’s see what they come up with, what they’re talking about. Yeah, doing something different in Texas, so let’s see where we get.
Editor’s Notes
Special thanks to Romain for taking the time for our enjoyable, insightful conversation for TPF! Also, special thanks to Lindsay Lindsey of Andretti Autosport for making this interview possible.
In the meantime, look for more content about Romain on TPF and follow his social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and his official website!
