Overview
- Romain Grosjean, who struck a bird at roughly 230 mph Tuesday during an Indianapolis 500 open test, pitted for cleanup and a safety inspection of his No. 18 Honda.
- Blood, feathers, and bird parts covered his suit, helmet, and aeroscreen, and the mess briefly reduced his vision as pieces also lodged on the rollbar.
- The aeroscreen, a wraparound polycarbonate shield introduced in 2020 to stop flying debris, likely prevented a head impact in a scenario that has proved deadly in the past.
- After Grosjean described the incident in graphic terms and joked about skipping chicken for lunch, PETA’s Mimi Bekhechi condemned his tone and said the group would send plant-based chicken.
- Grosjean was unhurt, the car had no disabling damage, and he still logged the sixth-fastest lap of the afternoon as preparations continue for the May 24 Indianapolis 500.