MOTOR RACING: Grosjean ruffles feathers with 'flippant' response to bird strike

Romain Grosjean has drawn criticism from PETA after making “flippant” comments about hitting a bird during Indy 500 testing at around 230 mph. The animal rights group accused the French driver of lacking empathy following his graphic description of the incident.

REUTERS

April 30, 2026

FILIE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Mexico Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - Romain Grosjean is seen ahead of practice on October 25, 2025.

Eloisa Sanchez/File Photo/Reuters

French racing driver Romain Grosjean has drawn criticism from animal rights group PETA after making what it called “flippant” comments following a bird strike during testing for next month’s Indianapolis 500.

The former Formula One driver, who survived a fireball crash in Bahrain in 2020, described the incident in graphic terms after hitting a bird at around 230 mph.

“I still have blood on my race suit. There were pieces of the bird on the roll bar. I couldn’t see where I was going anymore, there was plenty on the aero screen,” Grosjean said.

“The helmet stinks, the seat stinks. I didn’t get any chicken for lunch; I just walked past it,” he added.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) UK and Europe senior vice president Mimi Bekhechi accused the 40-year-old driver of showing a lack of empathy.

“Birds have feelings, apparently more than Grosjean does, considering that he seemed more concerned with his car, helmet, and suit — all replaceable — than the smash-up of this unsuspecting bird,” Bekhechi said in a statement.

The organization also highlighted concerns over animal welfare in factory farming and said it plans to send Grosjean plant-based chicken products.

The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 24. Grosjean drives for Dale Coyne Racing. -Reporting by Alan BaldwinEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters