Romain Grosjean says he would consider helping out a Formula 1 team if a driver became unavailable but does not envisage competing in the championship again full-time.
Grosjean made his Formula 1 debut mid-2009 and had been a mainstay in the championship since 2012, taking 10 podiums for Lotus, before linking up with new team Haas.
Haas opted to overhaul its driver line-up for 2021, signing Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin to replace Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, with both subsequently exiting the sport.
Grosjean, whose Formula 1 career was cut short by two events due to his Bahrain accident, has since signed to compete on road and street courses for Dale Coyne Racing in IndyCar.
But three drivers in 2020 – Nico Hulkenberg, Jack Aitken and Pietro Fittipaldi – had unexpected Formula 1 outings after others were sidelined, and Grosjean says he will keep himself available if a chance arises.
“I think it [Formula 1] is a closed book but never say never and if there are any good opportunities in Formula 1 I would be more than happy to jump in,” said Grosjean.
“I’ve got the experience, I think I can adapt myself, we’ve seen with Pierre Gasly recently that Covid is still around, so there is always a risk here and there that a driver may not compete in a race.
“I think the most recent [drivers] out of F1 are Kevin, myself and Alex Albon, so we’ve got the experience in the most recent cars, so you could expect to get a call.”
Grosjean nonetheless ruled out a return unless he has the chance to be in front-running machinery.
“From my accident I learned life is short, and if it is being in Formula 1 to barely go out of Q1 once or twice a year I think that chapter is closed for me,” he said.
“I’d rather look at other places I can go and race and potentially try to win races.”
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