Grosjean, Johnson to take Indy 500 rookie test on Wednesday
Romain Grosjean and Jimmie Johnson will turn their first laps of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in an IndyCar this week.
Photo by: Texas Motor Speedway
Weather allowing, the pair will have the iconic 2.5-mile oval available to themselves from 12 noon until 6pm on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
IndyCar’s current Indy Rookie Orientation Program requires a driver to turn 10 laps of 205-210mph, 15 laps of 210-215 mph, then 15 over 215mph.
For Grosjean, it will be a first test with Andretti Autosport-Honda, having spent his rookie season at Dale Coyne Racing. The Frenchman ran all road and street course races, but skipped both the double-header at Texas Motor Speedway and the Indy 500, before making his oval debut at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway.
Team owner Michael Andretti and Grosjean confirmed last month that the 10-time Formula 1 podium-finisher will take part in all 17 rounds of the 2022 season.
Although Olivier Boisson, his engineer from the 2021 season, has moved with Grosjean from Coyne to Andretti, he plans to stay in the background for this test to observe his new colleagues at work.
Seven-time NASCAR champion Johnson has tested an IndyCar at an oval, Texas Motor Speedway, but the #48 Chip Ganassi Racing-Honda driver has yet to race on one.
However, Johnson did run 18 NASCAR Cup races at the Speedway, eventually becoming a four-time winner of the Brickyard 400.
He has yet to confirm his participation on the other IndyCar ovals – Texas, Iowa Speedway and Gateway.
The Rookie Orientation Program is a prerequisite for participation in practice for the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
Rookies who do not take part in this RoP day will get a chance again in April’s IndyCar test at the Speedway, and again in IndyCar practice next May.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Related video
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory
O’Ward, Rossi impressed by McLaren’s “massive step forward”
WEC Imola: Fuoco completes Ferrari's practice sweep in red-flagged FP3
Ferrari F1 drivers split over China sprint race clash talks
Aston Martin protests F1 Chinese GP qualifying results after Sainz red flag crash
WRC Croatia: Neuville edges clear of Evans, Ogier in pursuit
The apprenticeship that will aid Ilott's IndyCar to WEC switch at Jota
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments