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

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