Romain Grosjean Returns to F1 Driving Five Years After Escape

Romain Grosjean is set to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time since his miraculous escape from a devastating crash during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Mugello circuit in Italy, where Grosjean will test the Haas VF-23, a car from his former team.

In November 2020, Grosjean experienced a horrific accident during the opening lap of the Bahrain race. His car collided with the barriers, splitting in two and igniting in flames. After enduring an impact that registered at an astonishing 67G, he spent 27 seconds trapped inside the burning wreckage before managing to escape. Remarkably, his injuries were limited to burns on the backs of his hands, allowing him to recover quickly. However, he missed the final two races of the season, marking an abrupt end to his ten-year F1 career since he had no seat for the 2021 season.

After his F1 tenure, Grosjean transitioned to IndyCar, making his debut less than three months after the accident. He has since achieved notable success, including three pole positions and six podium finishes over four seasons. Currently, he serves as a reserve driver for the Prema team in IndyCar and competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in North America.

A Long-Awaited Comeback

The upcoming test at Mugello holds special significance for Grosjean, who has long yearned for a farewell run in an F1 car. “I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) at Mugello,” Grosjean remarked. Having raced for Haas from its inception in 2016 for five seasons, he expressed his excitement about returning to his former team.

“It’s hard to believe it has been almost five years, but to come back and have this outing with my old team is truly something special,” he added. Grosjean looks forward to reuniting with former colleagues and contributing to the VF-23’s trackside agenda during the test.

Additionally, Grosjean plans to wear a helmet designed by his three children, which he intended to use for what was supposed to be his final grand prix in Abu Dhabi in 2020. “I’m at last going to be able to give it a go in a Formula 1 car on Friday,” he said, reflecting on the emotional significance of the moment.

Support from the Haas Team

Current Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who previously worked with Grosjean, will serve as his race engineer during the test. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Romain Grosjean back into a Formula 1 car for the first time in five years but especially proud he’s returning in one of our cars,” Komatsu expressed.

He emphasized the importance of this test, noting their long collaboration throughout Grosjean’s F1 career. “It should be a fun day, and knowing Romain as I do, I know he’ll want to give it his all as usual,” Komatsu stated, highlighting the camaraderie and shared history within the team.

Grosjean’s journey in Formula 1 spans 179 races across teams like Renault, Lotus, and Haas, where he achieved ten podium finishes, including two second-place results. His resilient spirit and determination continue to inspire fans and fellow drivers alike.

As Grosjean prepares for this significant return, the test at Mugello represents not just a moment of personal triumph but also a chance to reconnect with the sport that has defined much of his professional life.