Romain Grosjean has chosen to pursue an arbitration procedure against his former IndyCar team, Andretti Autosport. Grosjean, known for his impressive skills on the track, had joined the Andretti squad after racing with Dale Coyne Racing for two seasons. During his time with Andretti Autosport, he managed to secure three podium finishes, although a victory eluded him.
However, as the 2023 season progressed, Grosjean’s performance saw a notable decline, with the former Haas F1 driver achieving only a single top-ten finish in the latter part of his IndyCar campaign. The season was also marred by some contentious moments, both on the racetrack and behind closed doors, between Grosjean and his Andretti teammates.
The situation took a decisive turn in late August when team boss Michael Andretti announced the lineup for the 2024 season, signaling a shift in the team’s direction. The roster for the upcoming season included new recruit Marcus Ericsson, along with returning drivers Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood. Grosjean was notably absent from this lineup.
According to reports from RACER, Grosjean contends that he is entitled to compensation from Andretti Autosport, citing an initial contract extension that was never officially counter-signed by the team. This has prompted Grosjean to initiate arbitration proceedings, which he formally announced on social media.
In his statement, Grosjean expressed gratitude for his time with the Andretti Autosport IndyCar team and the successes they achieved together over two seasons. He also acknowledged the friendships he had formed within the American open-wheel racing community. Grosjean expressed his disappointment at not being able to continue with the Andretti team and his determination to explore other opportunities to further his IndyCar career.
He stated, “I had expected to continue racing with the fine people of Andretti Autosport in the coming year. I am disappointed that is not being fulfilled, and wish Andretti team members well. I am pursuing other options to continue my IndyCar career in pursuit of excellence. I have commenced an arbitration proceeding against Andretti Autosport, seeking to protect my rights. I am represented by John Maley and Mark Owens of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP.”
The initiation of arbitration by Grosjean adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing saga, and fans and the motorsports community will be closely following the developments in this case. Grosjean’s pursuit of justice and his desire to continue his successful IndyCar career make this a story worth watching in the world of motorsports.