1st F1 Car Drive for Grosjean Since Fiery Crash James Gilbert – Getty Images
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Almost five years ago on November 29, 2020, during the first lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Haas F1 driver Romain Grosjean was involved in one of the most dramatic crashes in recent Formula 1 history. He miraculously survived, but the subsequent fireball severely burned both of his hands. He never drove an F1 car again. This Friday, that is about to change.
Formula1.com reports that Grosjean will take the wheel of a 2023-spec Haas during a test at Mugello on September 26. “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—it’s only fitting,” said Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.
Grosjean has not returned to the F1 grid, but he did resume his racing career in 2021 when he began to race in the IndyCar series. This year, he is racing in the IMSA GTP class with the Lamborghini Squadra Corse team. Still, the 39-year-old Swiss driver is eager to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car.
“To say I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car would naturally be an understatement. I really can’t believe it’s been almost five years, but to come back and have this outing with my old team is truly something special,” said Grosjean.
What should make the drive even more special: the helmet Grosjean will wear. His final F1 race was to be at Abu Dhabi back in 2020, and his kids designed a special helmet for him to wear for that race. Unfortunately, Abu Dhabi was two weeks after his crash in Bahrain which prematurely ended his Formula 1 career. This Friday, he’ll finally get to wear that special helmet.
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