“I can’t share anything at the moment” Romain Grosjean will “almost certainly” join Dale Coyne Racing in 2026 after retiring from F1 following his horrific crash at the Bahrain GP
The world of motorsport never stands still, and Romain Grosjean, the French driver who wrote a dramatic chapter in Formula 1, seems ready for a new adventure. Recently, during an interview on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Grosjean responded to rumors about his future with a meaningful remark: “I can’t share anything at the moment.” Those words, pronounced with a cautious smile, only fueled the speculations. According to insiders and former teammates, it is “almost certain” that Grosjean returns to the Indycar Series in 2026, at Dale Coyne Racing, the team where he made his successful debut in the American open wheel series. The news comes at a time when the IndyCar market is in full swing before 2026, with chairs that are sold like hot sandwiches.
To understand the story of Grosjean, we have to go back to November 2020. The Bahrain Grand Prix, a race that will be engraved in the annals of Formula 1 forever. Grosjean, driving for Haas, crashed in the first round at high speed in a crash barrier. What followed was an inferno: his car caught fire and turned into a fireball that raged for seconds. In a miracle of survival, the Frenchman climbed out of the wreck, with burns on his hands and wrists, but remarkably enough without more serious injuries. The crash, caused by a collision with Daniël Ricciardo’s car, only lasted 27 seconds, but felt like an eternity for Grosjean. “I thought this was the end,” he said later in countless interviews. The FIA and the team were praised for the improved safety measures, such as the Halo and the faster fire extinguishers, who save his life. Grosjean did not finish the race, but his courage and resilience made him a hero in the paddock.
That crash marked the end of his F1 career. After nine seasons with teams such as Renault, Lotus and Haas – with 181 Starts, one win (the GP of Bahrain in 2020, ironically) and nine stages – Grosjean opted for a fresh start. “I didn’t want to end up with regret,” he explained. In 2021 he ventured to the United States, to the Indycar Series, where he concluded a deal with Dale Coyne Racing. That team, led by the experienced Dale Coyne since 1984, is known for its underdog stories: a modest operation that often performs miracles with limited resources. Grosjeans debut season was a sensation. In just 14 races he scored three podium places, including a near-victory on the Road Course of Indianapolis. He even took pole position there, an achievement that conquered the hearts of the American fans. “Romain brought fire to the team,” Coyne said at the time. “He drove like a madman, but smart.” Grosjeans adjustment to the oval jobs was striking; During a test on the gateway job, he made daring outdoor catering maneuvers that did the series.
After that season, Grosjean switched to Andretti Global, a top team, where he rode full seasons in 2022 and 2023. Results were solid, with a fourth place in the championship in 2022, but he struggled with consistency on Ovals. In 2024 he opted for Juncos Hollinger Racing, an adventure that turned out less successfully; He was replaced by Sting Robb. The year 2025 became a Sabbatic Intermezzo: Grosjean acted as a reserve driver for the new Prema Racing team in Indycar, while focusing on the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship. With Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse, he raced in the Lamborghini SC63 in the GTP class, where he already set some strong performances, including a stage on Road America. “I am not ready to give up,” Grosjean told The Race in April this year. “I miss racing full -time, and 2026 will be my comeback.”
The link with Dale Coyne Racing for 2026 feels like coming home. Recent news points out that Rinus Veekay, the Dutch driver who rode for DCR in 2025, is leaving the team. Veekay, who took a stage in Toronto, refused a contract extension and is looking for new horizons, possibly at A.J. Foyt Enterprises. That opens the door for Grosjean in the #18 Honda. Conor Daly, an Indycar veteran and podcast host, threw oil on the fire on 3 October in the Speed Street podcast. “Romain is all but locked in at Dale Coyne,” Daly claimed. “There are rumors about Todd Ault as a new sponsor, who wants to expand the team. With Romain there it will be a powerhouse.” Ault, an investor, pumps resources in DCR, including a doubling of the workshop near Chicago. That makes the team more attractive for stars like Grosjean.
Why Grosjean? His experience is worth gold. With 181 F1 Starts and more than 50 Indycar races, he knows the finercles of open-wheel racing. His popularity – as “the phoenix” that rose from the ashes – attracts fans and sponsors. Dale Coyne Racing, with his history of growing talent, sees in him a mentorrol, possibly next to a Rookie like Dennis Hauger, the 2025 Indy NXT champion. Hauger, borrowed from Andretti, could fill the second seat. “We have great options,” a team source told Frontstretch in September. Grosjeans return would symbolize perseverance: from the flames in Bahrain to the speed of Indycar.
Still Grosjean remains mysterious. His “I can’t share anything” during an IMSA event in Indianapolis hints on negotiations in an advanced stage. The IndyCar-Silly Season is running at full speed, with shifts like Will Power to Andretti and Colton Herta to Formula 2. Grosjeans Choice for DCR fits into a pattern: He started, Blonk, and now, with more maturity, he can lift the team to new heights. Critics point to his Oval struggles, but proponents emphasize his Road Course talent and leadership.
For Grosjean, father of three children and married to Marion Jollès, racing is more than a job; It’s therapy. “That crash taught me to appreciate life,” he said. In 2026, at the age of 40, he would complete his story: from F1 hero to Indycar phenomenon. Dale Coyne Racing welcomes, fans crave it. The bullet is not yet through the church, but the lines have been drawn. Romain Grosjean is back, and the world is watching.
