Romain Grosjean -

Kamran Jebreili / AP / SIPA

French driver Romain Grosjean made his first training session on Tuesday at the Indycar circuit, where he will compete for the championship in 2021, less than three months after his appalling accident in Bahrain marking the end of his career in Formula 1. “I felt like home, ”he told a virtual press conference after testing the Barber Motorsports Park circuit in Alabama, where the season kicks off on April 18.

A spin to start

“I had no apprehension, I just wanted to drive,” added the Franco-Swiss driver, 34, who signed a contract with Dale Coyne Racing in Indycar.

“The first few laps, my muscles weren't very well warmed up, but it got better towards the end, which is a good sign,” he said.

His tests were mainly marked by a spin from the first turn, with an exit from the track.

He explained that a heel-toe (accelerating while braking during the downshift) had destabilized the car, "whereas in Formula 1, that would stabilize it".

New car.

New series.

Same determination. # INDYCAR // @RGrosjean pic.twitter.com/xuPqkl0PBf

- NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) February 23, 2021

He won't compete in the Indianapolis 500

Wearing during his tests a helmet designed by his three children, which he will wear again during the first race of the season, Romain Grosjean revealed that he had spoken to them a lot lately, declaring that they are "happy" for him. let him resume competition.

On November 29, they saw their father survive a spectacular crash by managing to get out of his burning F1 28 seconds after it crashed into a safety barrier at 220 km / h and was cut off. in two.

"I saw death too closely," he told AFP then, both hands burned (the left more seriously), a sprained left ankle and bruises on this side of the body.

We will find the Frenchman racing on April 18 for the start of the season at the Alabama Grand Prix.

It will not compete in the oval races, including the Indianapolis 500, the most prestigious event in the series.

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