IndyCar – First podium of the season for Romain Grosjean at Long Beach
French driver Romain Grosjean (Andretti) excelled on the streets of California by finishing 2nd at Sunday’s Long Beach Grand Prix, the third round of the 2023 IndyCar Championship won by Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti).
After a stunning win in St. Petersburg and a trip to the Texas Oval, Romain Grosjean signed his first IndyCar podium of the season at Long Beach after a rhythmic race at the wheel of the Andretti. Having started from third place, the Frenchman was able to finish second thanks to a good strategy at the end of the race, despite limited use of the “push-to-pass” (button that allows the car to temporarily increase its performance). because of fuel consumption. His teammate Kyle Kirkwood, aged just 24, was able to convert his first pole position into his first victory in the discipline.
Praising the team’s work at a press conference, Romain Grosjean said it was important for the team to achieve this double and applauded his team-mate’s win.
Third place sees former F1 driver Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing) reclaim the championship lead after opening the season with a win at St Petersburg.
Bad luck for Simon Pagenaud
The other French driver, Simon Pagenaud (Meyer Shank Racing), was not as lucky as Grosjean and held onto 15th place after a complicated race and a failed pit stop. It must be said that Meyer Shank is not in top form at the start of the season: just a top 10 finish for the team (10th for Hélio Castroneves in Texas) and two incidents. But after all, their season is far from in the straw. The team is targeting the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May.
The fourth IndyCar meet of 2023 will take place on April 30 in Birmingham, Alabama at the Barber Circuit.
COVER PHOTO: PENSKE ENTERTAINMENT
