5 laps. That was all that stood between Romain Grosjean and the tip of an agonizing winless drought that dates again greater than 15 years.
As a substitute, the 40-year-old Swiss-born Frenchman watched a storybook victory slip via his fingers on the two.19-mile, 12-turn momentary avenue circuit on the Ontario Honda Sellers Indy at Markham.
Driving the #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, Grosjean delivered an excellent efficiency, taking the lead after Marcus Ericsson pitted on Lap 69 of 90 after which constructing a three-second hole over reigning four-time champion Alex Palou.
“On the finish of the race I knew we needed to go 37-ish laps on the tires, on the gas,” Grosjean stated. That was going to be a problem. Once I noticed the #28 pitting, Marcus, I assumed there was no method he would catch us. The #10 was behind me, which is at all times a fear. Opened the hole. We ought to be protected. Subsequent factor I knew, the #28 was coming.”
Finishing a livid late-race cost via the highest 5, Ericsson handed Palou and closed down Grosjean within the remaining stint. Working on fumes, Grosjean was fully defenseless.
“Honda did wonderful with us. They labored so effectively, gave us the precise gas quantity to cross the end line with nothing left within the tank,” Grosjean stated. “Nothing a lot you may do to defend. Not meant to be immediately… I had no extra gas, no extra tires, no extra something. I simply gave all of it.”
The second-place end marked Grosjean’s finest end result since Barber in 2023, but it surely extends a painful sample, turning into the sixth runner-up end of his IndyCar profession.
His final victory in any racing class stays a GP2 Sequence race in Hungary in 2011.
“I cried a bit of. I am not going to lie,” Grosjean stated. “Sure, it is a very long time. It sucks. I assumed immediately once I pulled the hole to Palou, I assumed that was good.”
Regardless of the heartbreak, Grosjean leaned on recommendation from an unconventional supply to maintain perspective, discovering solace in how far his staff had come.
“Management what you’ll be able to management. I believe that comes from Andre Agassi, the guide learn. I did every part I might,” he stated. “Very proud of my staff and my efficiency. Offers me hope for subsequent week, Freedom 250, one other nice one.”
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