IndyCar competitor Conor Daly has asserted that Romain Grosjean’s return to Dale Coyne Racing for the 2026 IndyCar season is nearly confirmed. This development comes amid ongoing speculation about Grosjean’s future in the series following his varied participation across teams over recent seasons. As the focus sharpens on Grosjean’s potential IndyCar comeback, fans and insiders watch closely for official confirmation.
Romain Grosjean’s Journey Across IndyCar and Sports Car Racing
Romain Grosjean ended his Formula 1 career after a dramatic crash during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Soon after, he transitioned to IndyCar, starting with Dale Coyne Racing for his debut season. Over the next few years, Grosjean moved between teams, including a stint with Andretti Global and then competing with Juncos Hollinger Racing in the 2024 IndyCar season before being replaced by Sting Ray Robb.
In the lead-up to the 2025 season, Grosjean secured a position as a reserve driver for the newly established PREMA Racing. Unable to land a full-time IndyCar seat, he also expanded into sports car racing. Grosjean joined the Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, racing the Lamborghini SC63 in the competitive GTP category.
Conor Daly Speaks Out on Grosjean’s Rumored Return to Dale Coyne Racing
During an episode of the Speed Street podcast, Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Conor Daly addressed the swirling rumors about Grosjean’s impending IndyCar return. Daly pointed to the influence of Todd Ault, a part-owner of Dale Coyne Racing with a known preference for Grosjean, as a key factor in the French driver’s expected signing.
“You know, there’s been a ton of rumors about, you know, Todd Ault and that group obviously own part of Dale Coyne Racing now. His favorite driver is Roman Grosjean. I believe Roman Grosjean is going to be there. I don’t see any other way that it’ll go,” said Conor Daly (11:00 onwards)
“But I also don’t want to be that guy who might have just understood and believed someone who I shouldn’t have. So who knows what could happen there? But I believe that that’s pretty much all but locked in,” added Daly
Daly’s confidence comes amid a vacancy left by Rinus VeeKay, who departed Dale Coyne Racing after the 2025 season. With that seat available, Daly is convinced Grosjean will secure the position for the 2026 campaign.
Grosjean Addresses Speculation on His IndyCar Prospects
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Romain Grosjean spoke briefly to media while preparing for his IMSA event. When pressed by motorsports insider David Land about his future plans in IndyCar, Grosjean acknowledged his name has been linked with a comeback but withheld definitive details.
“My name is being circulated, just that my name is being circulated, which is better than being not circulated. Nothing that I can share right now but there’s no doubt that I want to be back in IndyCar, that I would like to do a full season. I’m going to be 40 next year but you know the feeling always comes back. So coming back at 40 would be great.” (14:40 onwards)
Grosjean previously talked about the financial challenges affecting his ability to secure a full-time IndyCar seat, specifically the difficulties in attracting sufficient sponsorship to meet team demands. These hurdles have complicated his efforts to reestablish a consistent presence in the series.
The Impact and Outlook for Grosjean’s Potential 2026 Season
Should Romain Grosjean finalize a deal with Dale Coyne Racing, it will mark a significant moment in his post-Formula 1 career, signaling a return to one of IndyCar’s established teams. His experience across Formula 1, IndyCar, and sports car racing will bring valuable insight to the outfit. Meanwhile, Grosjean’s age and determination highlight a driver eager to prove himself anew despite the challenges of sponsorship and team placement.
Conor Daly’s assertions indicate strong insider belief that Grosjean’s path is set, pending formal announcements. For motorsports fans and participants, this anticipated move will be closely monitored as it could influence team dynamics and competition levels for the upcoming seasons.
