Romain Grosjean has been linked to the last open IndyCar seat for the 2026 season with Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) after months of speculation. Recently, he was spotted at the IndyCar Sebring test driving for DCR, although no official announcement has been made about his contract. Grosjean’s presence at this pre-season test adds fuel to the rumors surrounding his future in IndyCar.
The French driver initially joined IndyCar following his fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a switch from Formula 1. After completing the 2024 season with Juncos Hollinger Racing, Grosjean was not retained as the team signed Sting Ray Robb and Conor Daly for 2025. Without a full-time ride secured elsewhere, Grosjean took on a reserve driver role with the newly established PREMA Racing team while continuing to compete in Lamborghini’s IMSA program until the end of 2025.
Background on Grosjean’s Career and Recent Developments
Rumors about Grosjean joining Dale Coyne Racing alongside Dennis Hauger began surfacing in December and were reinforced when Grosjean appeared during the IndyCar preseason press sessions in late January. Despite the speculation, DCR has yet to confirm if Grosjean has officially signed a contract. The 39-year-old’s participation in the February 9-10 Sebring International Raceway open test — one of two major pre-season events — brought further attention to the story. All IndyCar teams except PREMA were expected at the test.
Dale Coyne Racing is adjusting its lineup for 2026 after splitting with Rinus VeeKay, who moved to Juncos Hollinger Racing. The team confirmed Dennis Hauger, the 2025 Indy NXT champion, as VeeKay’s replacement. Meanwhile, Grosjean’s potential seat was reportedly contested between him and Jacob Abel, whose first IndyCar season in 2025 did not meet expectations.
Conor Daly Comments on the Uncertainty of Grosjean’s Dale Coyne Racing Seat
IndyCar veteran Conor Daly addressed the rumors about Grosjean’s DCR contract during the Speed Street podcast. He suggested that Grosjean’s presence at the preseason events does not necessarily indicate a finalized deal:
“You saw a vision, a sight of the Dale Coyne Racing second driver, which is a funny story, but obviously it was Romain Grosjean who was there as the TBA. None of the media were allowed to talk to him. Technically, it seems like there is not a deal done there yet. So, it’s semi-mysterious, but it’s also very obvious.” – Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver
“But it was just fun to see people use TBA. I don’t know if it’s Dale Coyne’s favorite thing to do is to be last-minute on everything, but it’s been interesting how it worked out,” he added.
Grosjean previously raced for Dale Coyne Racing during his debut IndyCar season before moving to Andretti Global, which means returning to DCR would bring him back to familiar surroundings.
What These Developments Mean for Grosjean and IndyCar
The ambiguity around Grosjean’s contract status highlights the unpredictable nature of IndyCar seat negotiations. While reports indicate a probable agreement with Dale Coyne Racing, the lack of confirmation sustains uncertainty among fans and insiders. Grosjean’s experience and previous tenure with DCR could provide stability to the team’s driver lineup for 2026, especially as they integrate rookie Dennis Hauger.
The upcoming weeks will be critical as the IndyCar season approaches and teams finalize their rosters. Grosjean’s participation at Sebring demonstrates his readiness to compete, but only an official announcement will confirm his role. For the wider IndyCar grid, the outcome of these seat decisions impacts team dynamics and the competitive balance for the upcoming season.
En nu tagt Dennis Hauger op Instagram Romain Grosjean.
Het wachten is op een officiële bevestiging, zo lijkt het. #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/yaWZCi62xG
— Jeroen Demmendaal (@mrdemmendaal) February 9, 2026
