Romain Grosjean is one of three French drivers to have won a place in Formula 1 in 2012. In 2010, he competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours. He looks back on this unique participation in La Sarthe.

After seven of GP in 2009 at Renault to replacing Nelson Piquet Jr, in 2010 he joined the ranks of the FIA GT1 World Championship driving a Ford GT for Matech Competition, with whom he claimed two victories, and took part in the 24 Hours. the same year. He discovered that on the 13 km circuit, the significant differences in speed between prototypes and GT, etc.. "At Le Mans, I drove for the first time with cars going faster and slower than me. We need to find its place, but ultimately, cohabitation is going well, " he said in the paddock in La Sarthe in 2010.

Things were promising well after setting the third fastest time in LM GT1 at the end of qualifying, then the Ford GT1 he shared with Thomas Mutsch and Jonathan Hirschi occupied the class lead in the race at midnight. They was forced to retire after engine failure at four in the morning, but early withdrawal does not affect the delight of Romain Grosjean: "After my retirement, I did not go to bed and stayed on the track follow the race. If my schedule allows me, I really want to get back behind the wheel of a prototype. Open or closed, not matter as long as it's fast! " For now, the Franco-Swiss (born in Geneva, he has dual nationality) will address the Formula 1 challenge with the Lotus-Renault team, with former World Champion teammate Kimi Raikkonen. But no doubt, after showing promise on a circuit as unique as that of Le Mans, it will certainly not intimidate him ...

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HEURES DU MANS, QUALIFICATION, 10th JUNE 2010. Romain Grosjean (right) with team-mate Jonathan Hirschi.