What’s next for Romain Grosjean amid potential JHR sacking? Exploring his prospects after Conor Daly's confirmed IndyCar contract

Romain Grosjean is looking at the potential end of his IndyCar career. Juncos Hollinger Racing decided against retaining the veteran for 2025 and signed Conor Daly, who raced for them in the second half of 2024 and earned one podium, to replace him.

Grosjean had anticipated this undesirable result with JHR undergoing financial problems. In November, the ex-F1 driver slammed IndyCar for its poor marketing putting such strain on teams. He said (via RACER):

"It’s all budget. So right now, I’ve got nothing lined up. It is what it is. I think last year was probably one of my best seasons, and I may end up not being in the grid next year, just because the marketing has been horrendous for IndyCar, the hybrid has brought the costs to a level that’s unbearable for teams, and that’s the way it is."

Grosjean also acknowledged toiling behind the scenes to find a sponsor and funding for the struggling team to extend his stay. However, the team went with Sting Ray Robb and Daly for 2025. The only option that the Swiss-French driver, who secured six Top 10s for JHR in 2024, which is double the amount the team has achieved in any season since its debut in 2017, is to lobby with Dale Coyne Racing, which has the remaining two vacancies for next year.

However, Coyne is also struggling financially, potentially ruling out signing an experienced, big-paycheck driver like Romain Grosjean, unless he settles for less to continue in IndyCar with the team he debuted with in 2021.

In August this year, JHR co-owner Ricardo Juncos revealed that the team intended to continue with Grosjean in 2025, but the 38-year-old driver was also in demand for rival teams. That story didn't age well for Grosjean, who raced for three teams in his four-year IndyCar career and now finds himself without one.

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Can Romain Grosjean convert his part-time Lamborghini Sportscar partnership into a full-time seat for 2025?

Romain Grosjean at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024 - Race - Source: Getty

In December 2022, Lamborghini Squadra Corse signed Romain Grosjean as a factory driver to drive for the Iron Lynx team in 2023. He raced in two races in the GTD Pro class, including his debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Furthermore, in his first year, he helped Lamborghini develop the 'Le Mans Daytona h' car, which would race in the World Endurance Championship and the Sportscar championship in 2024.

In 2024, Grosjean competed in another GTD Pro race for Iron Lynx, three races in the GTP class, and the 24 hours of Le Mans with Lamborghini.

However, Lamborghini has parted ways with its partner, Iron Lynx, for 2025. Moreover, the team has no plans to compete in the WEC next year, which rules out the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Grosjean.

A return to F1 for Romain Grosjean is also a pipe dream, with most racing seats and reserve driver positions locked in. With retirement age closing in, this could be the last we see of 'F1's Phoenix' on the racing circuit.