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Grosjean compares F1 and IndyCar: 'Running 30 years behind in technology'
Romain Grosjean left Formula 1 at the end of 2020, where he then made a switch to the USA and IndyCar. The Frenchman was a guest on the Track Limits podcast, where Grosjean pointed out the biggest differences between Formula 1 and the famous American racing class.
Grosjean compares Indycar and F1
In the final years of his Formula 1 career, Grosjean drove for Haas, and in 2021, Grosjean and his teammate Kevin Magnussen had to make way for Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher, which allowed Grosjean to switch to IndyCar. So far, the former Formula One driver has been on the podium ten times in the American class.
"It was very refreshing, very different, more human and casual in IndyCar, which was good after doing ten years in Formula 1. I loved my time in Formula 1, but ten years in the same job is a long time, so even though it's a passion, I just felt like something new would be great. And I really enjoyed coming to IndyCar, having a lot of fun, and I'm excited to know that every time we go to a race, I've got a chance to win it," Grosjean says. All IndyCar cars are almost identical, with their chassis and aerodynamic packages being very similar across all teams.
IndyCar lags far behind F1
"The IndyCar is about 30 years behind [Formula 1] technology-wise," Grosjean begins. Formula 1 cars are a punch faster than the cars of the American class. "We don't want to push it. It is not cheap, but they're not too expensive to run, and the racing action is probably one of the best around the world on track. You keep your hands on the steering wheel more, and you're focusing more on your driving rather than changing switches, and the cars are phenomenal."