IndyCar: Grosjean calls teammate Rossi “An Absolute idiot”
As Scott McLaughlin celebrated at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, a full-blown crisis raged across the paddock for Andretti Autosport after the team self-destructed during the race.
Team owner Michael Andretti stormed away from Alexander Rossi’s pit stand after contact between Rossi and teammate Romain Grosjean knocked them both off course, and later Rossi did the same thing to Andretti teammate Devlin DeFrancesco. Rossi received a penalty for avoidable contact with DeFrancesco.
Andretti was later seen in a heated discussion with Rossi’s father.
Andretti Autosport’s worst nightmare.
Teammates Alexander Rossi and Romain Grosjean collide. Grosjean yells, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH HIM!?” #INDYCAR
📺 : @nbc and @peacockTV
💻 : https://t.co/dYbnJhswam pic.twitter.com/OrlF9AU9pK— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) July 3, 2022
Rossi is leaving Andretti at the end of the season to drive for Arrow McLaren SP, but perhaps it would be best for the team to let him go early, as he’s clearly a negative energy at this point.
“He’s an absolute idiot,” Grosjean told reporters after the race. No quote from DeFrancesco yet.
Romain Grosjean on his race today and the contact with Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta:#Honda200 #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/96m0OKbUuZ
— Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) July 3, 2022
Rossi and Grosjean had repeated wheel-to-wheel contact and one of the bumps knocked the steering wheel out of Rossi’s hands, leaving him unable to turn as both cars went off course.
“What the hell is wrong with him?” Grosjean screamed.
Grosjean was less than pleased to later receive team orders to aid Rossi’s finish.
“What do you want me to do? Just block everyone behind and not go ahead?” Grosjean declined.
“Because Rossi put me in the wall, so I am not going to protect him,” Grosjean replied.