Romain Grosjean is a French-Swiss race car driver who competes under the French flag. He currently drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Juncos Hollinger Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series. He previously raced in Formula One for nine seasons, earning ten podium finishes with Lotus.
1950: Grandfather's Skiing Achievement
Romain Grosjean's family boasts a history of athletic achievement. His grandfather, Fernand Grosjean, was a renowned skier who earned a silver medal in giant slalom at the 1950 World Ski Championship in Aspen, showcasing a lineage of sporting talent.
April 1986: Birth of Romain Grosjean
Romain David Jeremie Grosjean was born in April 1986, in Geneva, Switzerland.
1994: Grosjean Receives One-Race Ban After Spa Crash
Grosjean was given a one-race ban after causing a multi-car collision at the start of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, marking the first time a driver had been banned from a race since Michael Schumacher's ban in 1994.
1994: First Driver Since 1994 to Receive Race Ban
Romain Grosjean's race ban in 2012 marked a significant moment in Formula One, as he became the first driver since 1994 to receive such a penalty, highlighting the sport's focus on driver accountability and safety.
1996: Alesi's Fastest Lap in Monaco
Grosjean's fastest lap in Spain in 2012 was the first for a French driver since Jean Alesi achieved it at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix.
1996: Iconic Pass at Laguna Seca
In 1996, the famed "Corkscrew" at Laguna Seca was the location of Alex Zanardi's iconic pass on Bryan Herta. In the 2021 IndyCar season, Grosjean made several passes at this same location, making up ten positions and showcasing his skill.
1998: Alesi's Podium in Belgium
Grosjean's podium finish at the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix marked the first podium for a French driver since Jean Alesi achieved the feat at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.
1999: Alesi Starts on Front Row at French Grand Prix
Romain Grosjean's second-place qualifying position at the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first time a French driver had started a Formula One race from the front row since Jean Alesi did so at the 1999 French Grand Prix.
2003: Formula Lista Junior Championship Win
Romain Grosjean's early success in motorsport was evident in 2003 when he triumphed in the Formula Lista Junior championship, winning all ten rounds and showcasing his exceptional talent.
2004: French Formula Renault Championship Debut
Romain Grosjean stepped up to the French Formula Renault championship in 2004, marking his entry into a more competitive racing series.
2005: Dominated the French Formula Renault Championship
In 2005, Romain Grosjean showcased his racing prowess by dominating the French Formula Renault championship in his first attempt, earning him a spot in the esteemed Renault young driver programme.
2005: French Formula Renault Championship Victory and Formula Renault Eurocup Podiums
In 2005, Romain Grosjean showcased his talent by winning the French Formula Renault championship with an impressive ten victories. He also made his mark in the Formula Renault Eurocup, securing two podium finishes in Valencia. These accomplishments led him to join the prestigious Renault Driver Development programme, further propelling his career forward.
2005: Formula Three Debut at Macau Grand Prix
Romain Grosjean's Formula Three debut took place at the 2005 Macau Grand Prix, where he replaced Loïc Duval at Signature-Plus. Despite starting 19th on the grid, he demonstrated his skill by finishing in a commendable ninth position, even surpassing his teammates Fábio Carbone and Guillaume Moreau.
2006: Full Season in Formula 3 Euro Series and British Formula Three Championship Success
In 2006, Romain Grosjean competed in a full season of the Formula 3 Euro Series. While it proved to be a challenging year with only one podium finish, he made a remarkable impact in a one-off appearance in the British Formula Three Championship. At Pau, he dominated the races, starting from pole position, securing victories in both, and setting the fastest laps, highlighting his raw speed and racecraft.
2007: Formula 3 Euro Series Champion
Romain Grosjean clinched the Formula 3 Euro Series drivers' championship title in 2007, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in motorsports.
2007: Räikkönen's Championship-Winning Year
Romain Grosjean partnered with 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen at the Lotus F1 Team in 2012.
2007: Formula 3 Euro Series Championship Victory with ASM Team
Romain Grosjean returned to the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2007, joining the prestigious ASM team, which had a history of championship success. Despite early competition from Sébastien Buemi, he seized the championship lead with a victory at Mugello and maintained it to secure the title in the final round, proving his ability to perform under pressure.
June 2008: First Formula One Car Experience as Renault Test Driver
In June 2008, Romain Grosjean got his first taste of Formula One machinery when he took on the role of test driver for Renault, replacing Nelson Piquet Jr. During the UK round of the World Series by Renault weekend at Silverstone, he had the opportunity to drive the previous year's R27 car, showcasing his skills and gaining valuable experience.
2008: Grosjean Begins Dating Future Wife
Romain Grosjean and his wife started dating in 2008, a significant year that later influenced his choice of car number in Formula One.
2008: Inaugural GP2 Asia Series Champion
Romain Grosjean made history in 2008 by becoming the first-ever champion of the GP2 Asia Series, a testament to his exceptional skills and determination.
2008: Campos Grand Prix Team Champions
Romain Grosjean's former team, Campos Grand Prix, achieved significant success in 2008 by becoming team champions, demonstrating the competitive nature of the series he had been a part of.
2008: Beginning of Relationship with Marion Jollès
In 2008, Grosjean began his relationship with French journalist and television presenter Marion Jollès. They later married and started a family together.
2008: Joining ART Grand Prix for GP2 Series
Romain Grosjean continued his motorsport journey in 2008, joining the ART Grand Prix team for the GP2 Series, partnering with Luca Filippi and Sakon Yamamoto, signifying his ascent in open-wheel racing.
2009: Joining Barwa Addax and Finishing Fourth in Championship
Despite losing his seat at ART Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean found a new opportunity in 2009 with the reigning team champions, Campos Grand Prix, now known as Barwa Addax. Despite missing the final four rounds of the season, he delivered a commendable performance, finishing fourth in the championship standings, demonstrating his consistency and resilience.
2009: Replacing Nelson Piquet Jr. at Renault Due to Crashgate Controversy
Romain Grosjean's Formula One career took an unexpected turn in 2009 when he was promoted from test driver to race driver for Renault, replacing Nelson Piquet Jr. in the wake of the Crashgate controversy. This incident, which shook the sport, provided Grosjean with an opportunity to compete at the highest level.
2009: Formula One Debut with Renault
Romain Grosjean's Formula One dreams became a reality in 2009 when he debuted with Renault at the European Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.
2009: Grosjean's Previous F1 Stint with Renault
Romain Grosjean's return to the newly renamed Lotus F1 Team marked his return to the team, formerly known as Renault, where he had a brief stint in 2009.
January 2010: Losing Seat at Renault to Vitaly Petrov
In January 2010, after just half a season as a race driver, Romain Grosjean lost his seat at Renault to his former GP2 teammate, Vitaly Petrov. This setback left him without a Formula One drive for the upcoming season.
March 2010: Joining FIA GT1 World Championship with Matech Competition
After his Formula One departure, Romain Grosjean ventured into sportscar racing in March 2010, joining the FIA GT1 World Championship. He partnered with German driver Thomas Mutsch, driving a Ford GT1 for the Matech Competition team, showcasing his versatility as a driver.
June 2010: Le Mans 24 Hours Debut and Retirement
Romain Grosjean made his debut in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in June 2010. Sharing a Ford GT1 with Thomas Mutsch and Jonathan Hirschi, they qualified third in the LMGT1 class. Unfortunately, their race ended prematurely with a retirement after 171 laps, highlighting the challenging nature of endurance racing.
June 2010: Grosjean Returns to Single-Seaters with DAMS in Auto GP
In June 2010, Romain Grosjean returned to single-seater racing after joining the DAMS team for the third round of the Auto GP season at Spa-Francorchamps. He had a remarkable weekend, securing pole position, winning the feature race, and finishing second in the sprint event.
July 2010: Grosjean Rejoins GP2 with DAMS, Replaces D'Ambrosio and Tung
In July 2010, Grosjean made his comeback to GP2 with the DAMS team, stepping in for Jérôme d'Ambrosio at the German round. He later took over from d'Ambrosio's injured teammate, Ho-Pin Tung, starting from the Belgian round.
September 2010: Pirelli Tyre Test
After losing his Formula One seat, Romain Grosjean secured a valuable opportunity in September 2010 to test for tire manufacturer Pirelli. This testing role was crucial for Pirelli's return as a tire supplier to Formula One in 2011 and allowed Grosjean to stay connected to the sport.
2010: Auto GP Championship Victory
After a brief setback in Formula One, Romain Grosjean returned to junior formulae in 2010 and triumphed, winning the Auto GP championship on his first attempt, demonstrating his resilience and adaptability.
May 2011: First IndyCar Pole Position
In May 2011, Grosjean earned his first IndyCar pole position at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. This was his first pole position since May 2011 when he was on pole in GP2 at Istanbul Park with DAMS. He went on to finish in second place behind winner Rinus VeeKay.
October 2011: Grosjean Returns to Formula One as Lotus Renault GP Test Driver
Romain Grosjean returned to Formula One in October 2011, joining Lotus Renault GP as one of their test drivers. He participated in his first Friday free practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi and Brazilian Grands Prix.
December 2011: Grosjean Secures Formula One Seat with Lotus F1 Team for 2012
In December 2011, it was confirmed that Grosjean would be returning to Formula One in 2012 as a full-time driver for the Lotus F1 Team, partnering with 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen.
2011: Grosjean's Dominant GP2 Season with DAMS
In 2011, Grosjean competed full-time in both the GP2 Series and GP2 Asia Series with DAMS. He showcased his skills by winning the Asia Series and securing the main series championship title after a string of impressive performances.
2011: Grosjean's GP2 Championship
In 2011, Romain Grosjean won the GP2 championship, adding a significant milestone to his racing career.
2011: Pirelli's Return as F1 Tyre Supplier
Pirelli made its comeback as the official tire supplier for Formula One in 2011, replacing Bridgestone. This change brought a new dynamic to the sport, with teams and drivers adapting to the new tire characteristics.
2011: GP2 Asia and GP2 Series Champion
Romain Grosjean etched his name in motorsports history in 2011 by clinching both the GP2 Asia Series and GP2 Series titles, becoming the first and, as of 2021, the only driver to achieve this remarkable feat.
June 2012: Marriage to Marion Jollès
On June 27, 2012, Grosjean married French journalist and television presenter Marion Jollès in Chamonix. They had been together since 2008.
December 2012: Grosjean Confirmed to Stay with Lotus for 2013
In December 2012, it was announced that Grosjean would be staying with the Lotus F1 Team for the 2013 Formula One season.
2012: Grosjean's Controversial Incidents in the Latter Half of 2012
Romain Grosjean was involved in several controversial incidents throughout the 2012 Formula One season, including causing a multi-car pile-up in Belgium and colliding with Mark Webber in Japan. These incidents led to criticism from fellow drivers and a one-race ban.
2012: First Fastest Lap and Race Ban
Romain Grosjean secured his first fastest lap in Formula One at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix. However, he also faced a setback that year, becoming the first driver since 1994 to receive a one-race ban due to his involvement in a multi-car collision at the Belgian Grand Prix.
2012: Grosjean's Return to Formula One with Lotus F1 Team
Romain Grosjean returned to Formula One as a full-time driver for the Lotus F1 Team in 2012. He showed promising pace but was also involved in several incidents throughout the season.
2012: Return to Formula One with Lotus F1 Team
In 2012, Romain Grosjean marked his return to Formula One, joining the Lotus F1 Team alongside Kimi Räikkönen, signifying a resurgence in his F1 career.
2012: First Formula One Podium
Romain Grosjean achieved his maiden Formula One podium finish at the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix, a significant achievement marking his growing success in the sport.
July 2013: Birth of First Child
On July 29, 2013, Marion Jollès gave birth to their first son, marking a significant life event for Grosjean and his family.
November 2013: Grosjean Extends Contract with Lotus for 2014
It was announced in November 2013 that Romain Grosjean would be continuing his Formula One career with the Lotus F1 Team for the 2014 season.
2013: 2013 Formula One Season
In the 2013 Formula One Season, Grosjean raced for Lotus. In Canada, despite qualifying 5th, he suffered a tire puncture after contact with Will Stevens, yet managed to finish in the points. Austria saw him retire due to mechanical issues, and he retired in Great Britain after contact with Daniel Ricciardo and teammate Maldonado. In Hungary, he faced struggles and a penalty but recovered to finish 7th. At the Belgian Grand Prix, he qualified 4th and ultimately secured a podium finish in 3rd place after Vettel's tire exploded. This marked his first podium since 2013, an accomplishment that brought him to tears.
2013: Six Podiums with Lotus
Romain Grosjean continued to impress in Formula One, securing six podium finishes during the 2013 season while driving for Lotus, further demonstrating his consistency and podium potential.
2013: Grosjean Continues with Lotus for 2013 Season
Romain Grosjean remained with the Lotus F1 Team for the 2013 Formula One season.
2014: Grosjean Chooses Number 8 for 2014 Season
With the introduction of permanent driver numbers in Formula One in 2014, Romain Grosjean chose to race with the number 8. He explained that the number held personal significance, as it was related to his wife's birthday, their dating anniversary, and his son.
2014: Grosjean Stays with Lotus for 2014 Season
Romain Grosjean remained with the Lotus F1 Team for the 2014 Formula One season.
2014: Featured in David Guetta's Music Video
In 2014, Grosjean was featured in French disc jockey David Guetta's music video titled 'Dangerous.'
2014: Driving for Lotus Alongside Pastor Maldonado
The 2014 Formula One season saw Romain Grosjean remain with Lotus, partnering with Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado, forming a new driver pairing for the team.
May 2015: Birth of Second Child
On May 16, 2015, Grosjean and his wife Marion Jollès welcomed their second child, further growing their family.
September 2015: Signing with Haas F1 Team
In September 2015, it was announced that Grosjean would join the Haas F1 Team for the 2016 season, partnering with Esteban Gutiérrez.
2015: 2015 Formula One Season
In 2015, Grosjean drove for Lotus, which was powered by a Mercedes engine. He showed potential in testing, but faced mechanical issues in Australia and a spin after contact with Sergio Pérez in Malaysia. He achieved good finishes in China and Bahrain, placing 7th in both races. In Spain, he finished 8th despite challenges in practice, qualifying, and contact with Pastor Maldonado. In Monaco, he was on track for a points finish but was hit by Max Verstappen, ultimately finishing 12th.
2015: Podium Finish at Belgian Grand Prix and Move to Haas
Romain Grosjean achieved a podium finish at the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix with Lotus. This season also marked the end of his tenure with Lotus, as he made a significant move to the Haas F1 Team for the following season.
2016: Debut with Haas F1 Team
In 2016, Grosjean made his debut with Haas F1 Team. He achieved a remarkable sixth-place finish in the team's first race, the Australian Grand Prix, securing Haas' first points and earning himself the title of Formula One's first Driver of the Day. He continued his success in the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing fifth and winning Driver of the Day again.
2016: Driving for Haas F1 Team
Romain Grosjean embarked on a new chapter in his Formula One journey in 2016, joining the Haas F1 Team, where he would spend several seasons.
May 2017: Elected as GPDA Director
In May 2017, following Jenson Button's retirement from full-time racing, Grosjean was elected by the members of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) to replace Button as one of its directors.
October 2017: Launch of Cuisine et Confidences
In October 2017, Grosjean launched 'Cuisine et Confidences,' a cookbook he authored with his wife.
November 2017: Launch of YouTube Channel
In November 2017, Grosjean launched his own YouTube channel called 'Romain Grosjean Official,' which garnered 255K subscribers.
December 2017: Birth of Daughter
On December 31, 2017, Grosjean and Marion Jollès had their third child, a daughter, adding to their family.
2017: 2017 Formula One Season
In 2017, Grosjean stayed with Haas, partnering with Kevin Magnussen. The season was marked by several retirements, including the Australian Grand Prix (water leak), Russian Grand Prix (collision with Jolyon Palmer), and Hungarian Grand Prix (wheel nut issue). He managed to score 28 points from 8 races and finished 13th in the championship.
September 2018: Retained by Haas for 2019
On September 28, 2018, Haas confirmed that they would keep Grosjean for the 2019 Formula One season, partnering him again with Kevin Magnussen.
2018: 2018 Formula One Season
In 2018, Grosjean remained with Haas alongside Kevin Magnussen. The season saw a mix of incidents and achievements. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he crashed behind the safety car while running in 6th place. In Spain, he triggered a first-lap crash, taking himself, Nico Hülkenberg, and Pierre Gasly out of the race. However, he achieved his best result with Haas at the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing 4th. Despite a 6th-place finish in Italy, he was later disqualified due to an illegal floor on his car, a decision that was upheld despite the team's appeal. He ended the season 14th with 37 points.
2018: Halo Device Saves Grosjean's Life
Introduced in Formula One in 2018, the halo-head protection device proved crucial in saving Grosjean's life during his fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. The halo shielded his head and body from the impact with the barrier.
September 2019: Confirmed with Haas for 2020
Haas announced on September 19, 2019, that Grosjean would continue to race for them in the 2020 season, partnering once more with Kevin Magnussen.
2019: 2019 Formula One Season
Grosjean continued with Haas in 2019, but like the previous year, the season was challenging. The Haas VF-19 lacked pace, and Grosjean experienced reliability problems, unfortunate incidents, and driver errors.
2019: Mercedes Test Drive Opportunity
Grosjean was scheduled to test drive the Mercedes AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+, the championship-winning car from the 2019 Formula One World Championship, for a full day with the Mercedes team at the 2021 French Grand Prix. However, the test was postponed due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Fiery Crash at Bahrain Grand Prix
In his final Formula One race, the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Grosjean experienced a horrific crash on the first lap. His Haas VF-20 collided with Daniil Kvyat's AlphaTauri AT01, causing his car to hit the barrier at high speed and split in half, igniting a massive fire. The impact, measured at 67 g, wedged the front of the car into the barrier. Thankfully, the halo device protected Grosjean's head, and he miraculously escaped with minor burns to his hands and ankles after 28 seconds. The crash resulted in a red flag period exceeding an hour to repair the barrier and recover the wreckage. Grosjean missed the final two races and was replaced by Pietro Fittipaldi.
2020: Survived Dramatic Crash at Bahrain Grand Prix
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix witnessed one of the most dramatic crashes in Formula One history, with Romain Grosjean, driving for Haas, involved in a fiery accident. His car split in two and caught fire after piercing a metal barrier. Miraculously, he sustained only minor burns, with the halo safety device credited for saving his life.
2020: 2020 Formula One Season
Grosjean stayed with Haas for the 2020 season. He experienced a difficult start, retiring from the first race in Austria and finishing thirteenth a week later at the same venue. His highest finish in the following six races was twelfth, achieved in Italy and Tuscany. He secured his only points of the season and a ninth-place finish in Germany. Prior to the Portuguese Grand Prix, Grosjean and Magnussen announced their departure from Haas at the end of the season.
2020: Move to IndyCar Series
Following the 2020 Formula One season, Romain Grosjean made a significant career transition by moving to the IndyCar Series, marking a new chapter in his racing career.
October 5, 2021: Rookie Orientation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
On October 5, 2021, Grosjean underwent his rookie orientation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He confirmed his participation in the 2022 Indianapolis 500 and the entire 2022 schedule.
2021: Only Driver to Hold Both GP2 Asia and Main GP2 Series Titles Simultaneously
As of 2021, Romain Grosjean holds the unique distinction of being the sole driver to have won both the GP2 Asia Series and the main GP2 Series titles concurrently, a testament to his exceptional talent and skill.
2021: Move to IndyCar Series
From 2021 onward, Grosjean decided to pursue a career in the IndyCar Series.
2021: Move to IndyCar Series
From 2021, Grosjean transitioned from Formula One to compete in the IndyCar Series.
2021: Grosjean's 2021 IndyCar Season
In 2021, Grosjean competed on a joint deal between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing with backing from Honda. He initially planned to participate only in street and road course events but later announced after the Indianapolis 500 that he would run in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 to gain experience racing on ovals for a potential full schedule in 2022. Since his only oval race would be on a short oval, his Haas F1 Team colleague Pietro Fittipaldi replaced him for IndyCar's three races on superspeedways, including the doubleheader at Texas Motor Speedway and the 2021 Indianapolis 500.
2022: Potential Full Schedule in 2022
After competing in the 2021 IndyCar season, Grosjean aimed to participate in a full schedule in 2022. His experience in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 was part of his preparation for this potential commitment.
2022: Challenging 2022 Season with Andretti Autosport
In 2022, Grosjean drove Andretti Autosport's No. 28 DHL Honda entry, replacing Ryan Hunter-Reay. He faced a challenging season with bad luck and on-track contact with teammates and other drivers. Despite this, he picked up his first podium with Andretti Autosport at Long Beach and advanced to Q2 in his first Indianapolis 500 before crashing out.
2023: 2023 IndyCar Season Struggles
In 2023, Grosjean won the pole at the season opener but a late-race collision with Scott McLaughlin ended his chances of a victory. He also crashed out at Texas while fighting for a podium finish. Despite two consecutive second-place finishes at Long Beach and Barber, the rest of the season was fraught with numerous DNFs and only one top-ten finish in the remaining 13 races.
2024: Partnership with Field Pass Inc
In 2024, Grosjean became a partner in Field Pass Inc, a brand management and media company he had worked with as a client in 2023.
2024: Joining Juncos Hollinger Racing
On November 2, 2024, it was announced that Grosjean would be racing for the Juncos Hollinger Racing team for the 2024 season, replacing Callum Ilott. This marked his first drive in an IndyCar Chevrolet-powered car, having previously raced with Honda cars for Dale Coyne and Andretti.
2024: Legal Action Against Andretti
On September 3, 2024, NBC reported that Grosjean would not be retained by Andretti for the 2024 season. A month later, Grosjean announced that he would be taking legal action against Andretti.