Romain Grosjean ended a 15‑year winless period by securing second place at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy, with his latest result the best since Barber’s 2023 podium.
Fuel and Tire Strategy Set the Stage
The 40‑year‑old driver needed roughly 37 laps remaining to stay ahead, “bringing the car to the finish line without reserve,” Grosjean explained. When Marcus Ericsson pitted on lap 69, the gap widened, yet the Frenchman’s team was wary of a late sprint from #10, the No. 28. The gamble ultimately paid off, though the car ran on fumes in the closing minutes.
Marcus Ericsson’s Late‑Race Charge
Ericsson, starting outside the front row, overtook Alex Palou after his stop and closed on Grosjean during the final stint. With limited grip and nearly depleted fuel, the ex‑V8 Supercar champion found himself defenseless—an outcome Grosjean deemed “not meant to be.”
Tire Choices and Honda’s Precision
Honda’s engineers supplied a “perfect” fuel mix, allowing the #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda to deliver every barrel exactly to the line. Grosjean praised the team’s calculations, noting the car “worked so well” and “gave us the exact fuel number to cross the finish line with nothing left in the tank.”
Grosjean’s Emotional Takeaway
“I cried a little. It’s a long time,” he admitted after the race. “Yes, it sucks. I thought today when I pulled the gap to Palou, I had the win.” The driver chased advice from Andre Agassi’s book, reminding himself to “control what you can control.” He remains confident of a future victory, specifically targeting next week’s Freedom 250.
Future Outlook
Grosjean expressed optimism for the Freedom 250, stating, “Very happy with my team and my performance… gives me hope for next week.” He is poised to turn the narrow miss into an IndyCar triumph.
"