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| - Romain Grosjean, who almost lost his life in a horrifying Formula One fireball crash two months ago, on Wednesday announced he will drive this year in the US-based IndyCar series. The Frenchman narrowly escaped death at the Bahrain Grand Prix at the end of November when his Haas car burst into flames when it crashed into a barrier at 220km/h on the first lap. His car was destroyed in just 28 seconds. After losing his F1 drive, Grosjean will now race for the Dale Coyne team in the United States. "What I've missed the most over the last few years is being able to fight to try to win races," said the 34-year-old. "So, clearly, to find a championship where I can fight and try to win races every weekend, that is great." In the immediate aftermath of his Bahrain inferno, Grosjean told AFP: "I saw death too closely." After being pulled from the flames, the veteran French driver suffered severe burns to both hands, a sprained left ankle and bruises on one side of his body. Grosjean raced in 179 Grands Prix in 10 seasons in Formula One with Renault, Lotus and then Haas who had already decided to replace him before the accident. He ended his decade-long career in the world championship without a win. However, he had 10 podium finishes. Grosjean will get his IndyCar season underway at the Alabama Grand Prix on April 18. ole-pel/dj/mw
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