F1 | Grosjean is ready to “put fear aside” to race in IndyCar next year
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will no longer race in Formula 1 starting next year after being dropped by Haas. Each driver has a different perspective for the future and it seems that Grosjean is moving towards IndyCar.
As already explained in recent weeks, the two current Haas drivers - Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen - will no longer race in Formula 1 aboard the American team starting from 2021. In fact, the two drivers' contract will end at the end of this 2020 F1 season.
Both drivers discussed with IndyCar teams about drives in 2021.
Even if the prospects for the future are different. While Grosjean feels optimistic enough to get a spot next year, his teammate thinks it's hard to find himself in one of the few remaining places in the category.
Previously the Swiss driver had declared reservations about racing on oval tracks even though the 2021 calendar includes only three, he said he was willing to race at the Indianapolis 500.
Grosjean said: "I thought that Indycar has more ovals that it actually does,
"Ovals are something that I'm not necessarily a huge fan of, but looking at the calendar there are basically three ovals, Texas, which is fast, the Indy 500, and one other short track, I don't remember the name [Gateway].
"Obviously racing the Indy 500 is something unique, it's one of the top three races in the world with Le Mans and Monaco.
"I think you can put your fear aside a little bit and go for it, and accept that the cars are much safer, the walls are safer, it's just all moved in the right direction.
"It's gone in a way that I can accept that it can be a good opportunity and a fun experience, and hopefully a successful experience."
Grosjean has high hopes for his future in IndyCar next year stating that "there are some wishes from both sides to make it happen", but he also acknowledged that drives still available may require a driver to bring in a budget.
"If you look at Penske and Chip Ganassi, which I guess are the two top teams in IndyCar, they are fully booked," Grosjean also revealed that he had talked to Simon Pagenaud and former F1 racer Marcus Ericsson about a possible move.
"But you would not necessarily expect to land on one of those seats when you go to IndyCar, you need to prove that you can race in that series.
"I think motorsports is changing generally and I wouldn't be surprised if now drivers around the world need to have sponsors that want to follow them.
"Jimmie Johnson is a good example in IndyCar, but also some others, where you present an image, and the companies behind the image are happy that you represent it, and you move forward."
On the other hand, Magnussen acknowledged that the time to make a move is running out.
"I've been speaking to teams and seeing what is possible,
"We're a little bit late in the year, a lot of teams have already got drivers for the future.
"I don't think it looks likely for next year, for sure.
"I don't see any reason to tell you who I'm talking to, but some good ones."
