In 2010, after seven forgettable races in the Formula 1 championship, Grosjean took a break from top-level motorsport and competed in the FIA GT World Championship. During this period, he also had the opportunity to participate in the renowned Le Mans race, driving the Matech Ford GT GT1 #60. At that time, Grosjean was 24 years old.
Now, at the age of 35, the Frenchman finds himself back at Le Sarthe, his home race. He will share driving duties in the Iron Lynx Lamborghini SC63 #19 with Matteo Cairoli and Andrea Caldarelli.
In preparation for his Le Mans adventure, Grosjean shared his game plan, stating: “This year, my focus will be on learning as much as possible quickly. In a way, I feel like a rookie because I’m not familiar with the car and don’t have much experience driving it. However, considering my achievements since 2010, I don’t consider myself a complete beginner.”
Although Grosjean may not be a complete novice at Le Mans, as evidenced by his previous experience in 2010, he still holds vivid memories of that race. He recalls the atmosphere and excitement surrounding the event. Unfortunately, his team faced engine problems and had to retire from the race. However, Grosjean always believed that one day he would return to compete for overall victory.
“It took 14 years, but here I am!” exclaimed Grosjean. “If someone had told me when I started that one day I would have the opportunity to race in the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the Le Mans 24 Hours in the top class, I’m not sure if I would have believed them.”
Grosjean will always be remembered as the driver who miraculously survived the fiery accident during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. That night, his life hung by a thread, and only a miracle saved him. Since then, he has continued to race in Indycar, showcasing his incredible speed on good days, but also suffering unfortunate accidents on bad days. Unfortunately, these have been too frequent for him.
Looking back on his return to Le Mans, Grosjean reflected on how the opportunity to race in 2010 came about. He expressed gratitude to Martin Bartek for providing him with a great opportunity, which eventually led him to switch to GP2. After that, things started to go well for him.
“For over 10 years, I raced in single-seaters,” shared Grosjean. “Since I’ve been in the United States, I haven’t had many chances to race in Europe. I haven’t been surrounded by so many people since the Bahrain accident. It’s wonderful to meet the fans. I must admit that my 2024 schedule is packed. There are a total of 31 race weekends. I have a lot on my plate, but life is good. I have no complaints!”
Grosjean, a Frenchman born in Switzerland, has embraced the thrill of driving various cars this year. He has competed in the Indycar series, including the recent Indianapolis 500, in his Dallara DW12. Additionally, he has faced the challenges of racing with a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 in Daytona and the Lamborghini SC63 in the WEC. This variety of vehicles has provided Grosjean with excitement and satisfaction.
The transition to driving Hypercars has been particularly exciting for Grosjean. He appreciates the opportunity to drive different types of cars and thinks the Lamborghini program complements his experience in Indycar. The project is new and Grosjean is part of a motivated and talented team. The Hypercar is a unique blend of a GT and a single-seater. Although it has the drivability of a single-seater from a mechanical standpoint, it offers less downforce compared to an F1 car. This allows Grosjean to explore the full potential of the car and experience different driving techniques. He finds the freedom and flexibility in the Hypercar series refreshing, as there are more opportunities to work closely with engineers and adjust the car’s performance. Finding the right balance in the car’s settings is a challenge due to its weight and high downforce, but Grosjean and his team continue to learn and improve with each lap.
Grosjean’s car #19, representing Iron Lynx, will start from P21 on the grid for today’s race at 16:00 (CET) local time.
© 2024
The Brazilian football team has achieved another spectacular victory in the World Cup. With an impressive performance, the players showed all their talent and determination on the field. Brazil won 3-1 against the Argentine national team in an exciting game that will be remembered in the history of football.
From the beginning of the match, Brazil showed their dominance and control of the game. With quick and precise plays, the Brazilian team put pressure on the Argentine defense and soon opened the scoring with a beautiful goal from Neymar. The Brazilian player was the highlight of the match, showing all his skill and creativity on the field.
The Argentine selection did not let themselves be shaken and sought the equalizer. With a rehearsed play, Messi scored a goal from a free kick and leveled the score. However, the Brazilian response was immediate. In a counterattack play, Gabriel Jesus scored Brazil’s second goal, driving the crowd crazy.
In the second half, Brazil continued to press and extended the score with another goal from Neymar. The Brazilian player showed his skill by dribbling the Argentine defense and finishing with precision. With the result, Brazil secured their spot in the next phase of the World Cup.
The Brazilian fans celebrated the victory in grand style. The streets were filled with party and joy, with the fans singing and dancing in celebration. Brazil once again showed their passion for football and their ability to overcome challenges.
Now, the Brazilian team is preparing to face their next challenge in the World Cup. With high confidence, the players are determined to win the title and bring joy to the country once again. The Brazilian fans are anxious and confident, expecting more great moments of excitement and victory.
