Dale Coyne Racing has made public its plans for the 2026 IndyCar season, with racing veteran Romain Grosjean filling the team’s second seat.
Grosjean will drive the #18 entry for the full 18-race schedule, driving alongside rookie Dennis Hauger.
The announcement fills the last remaining open seat for the 2026 season, and puts to bed speculation about the possibility of multiple drivers splitting duties for the entry.
The car will be adorned with a livery promoting Bitcoin MAX, and Grosjean will serve as the company’s first Global Brand Ambassador.
“Pairing an exceptional rookie in Dennis [Hauger]with a proven veteran like Romain gives us a strong competitive foundation,” said team owner Dale Coyne.
“Bringing back key pieces of our history while building new global partnerships positions us well for 2026.”
After nearly a decade-long career in Formula 1, Grosjean switched to IndyCar racing in the 2021 season.
His first campaign stateside was with DCR for the road course rounds only. He expanded his running partway through the year, adding the oval event at World Wide Technology Raceway to his schedule.
He contested four full seasons afterwards and won six podiums before being relegated to a reserve role for 2025.
It was well-known that the Frenchman was looking for a way back into a full time seat, and his ambitions are satisfied with the new arrangement this season.
Grosjean already tested with DCR recently at Sebring and was spotted taking official promotional photos in the team’s firesuit, both of which strongly hinted at today’s announcement.
The team also announced that veteran engineer Bill Pappas will be returning to the organization.
Pappas helped DCR achieve its first IndyCar win in 2009 by working with the late Justin Wilson at a time when the team was working to establish itself in the series.
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