Romain Grosjean has developed a knack of fast starts to the season during his short time in the IndyCar Series. Four of his five runner-up results have come before June, after all. The Swiss-born Frenchman is simmering any early expectations of winning with his new team, Juncos Hollinger Racing, but believes all the ingredients are there to progress and craft strong results.
Ex-Formula 1 veteran Grosjean made the switch over to JHR during the off season following a two-year stint with Andretti Autosport. Since becoming a full-time squad in the IndyCar Series in 2022, JHR has expanded from one to two cars, and steadily improved from breaking into the top 10 to scoring a brace of top-fives last year with Callum Ilott, who Grosjean has replaced in the Chevrolet-powered team’s #77 car for 2024.
It also doesn’t hurt that during the off-season, JHR was able add some papaya to its diet after forming a strategic alliance with Arrow McLaren. This concept has steadily become a trend in the series, with Meyer Shank Racing establishing a technical tie-up with Andretti Global, and AJ Foyt Racing following a similar relationship with Team Penske.
Even though everything appears to be trending in the right direction, Grosjean remains hesitant to declare the top step of the podium as an option when the season begins this weekend on the streets of St Petersburg.
“Well, I think it may be early to speak about wins,” says the 37-year-old. “For sure we’re going to try to do everything we can, but we also have to be realistic that we are up and coming.
“The team has been doing really good for the past few years, but it’s still a three-year-old team. So, a lot to do, but I think everyone is very motivated and very aware of what we can achieve and what we cannot achieve. That’s good.
Source: Autosport