Grosjean relieved after his first oval race: 'A very nice experience'

Last night was a very special one for Romain Grosjean. The Frenchman drove his first oval race in the IndyCar, after he had indicated in the beginning of his IndyCar-period that he didn't want to step onto an oval circuit anytime soon. The Frenchman is starting to feel more and more comfortable and therefore chose to go on the oval at Gateway.

In the end he finished the race in fourteenth place, but for Grosjean the experience itself was the most important thing, as after his horror crash in Bahrain he has always avoided big risks. On an oval, the risks are always present, although it went well for Grosjean. "I finished my first oval race," Grosjean said in the press release from his team, Dale Coyne Racing.

Strategy causes disappointing result

"Some parts were really great, while at times it did get really complicated. It was a very good experience. We tried a strategy that didn't really work out, so the end result is not as good as our race," Grosjean acknowledged. An unfortunate yellow flag put him a lap down and since then a good result was impossible.

"We had a fast car and learned a lot. I made some mistakes on cold tyres and ended up on the marbles as a result. I managed to save the car and also placed good overtakes regularly. I am very happy with this first oval race. I'm a bit dizzy, but the feeling will only get better," Grosjean concluded.