Romain Grosjean To Drive F1 Car Five Years After Bahrain Crash

• Romain Grosjean will drive a Formula 1 car for the first time since his fiery 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix crash, taking part in a Haas test at Mugello on Friday.
• Haas boss Ayao Komatsu, Grosjean’s former race engineer, said the test holds “particular significance” with members of the original crew reuniting for the occasion.
• Grosjean said he is “incredibly grateful” to Gene Haas and Komatsu for the chance, calling the outing with his old team “truly something special.”

Romain Grosjean is set to step back into a Formula 1 cockpit for the first time in nearly five years when he drives Haas’s 2023-spec VF-23 during a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session at Mugello on Friday.

The Frenchman’s last F1 race came at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, which ended in terrifying fashion when his car pierced the barriers on the opening lap and burst into flames. Grosjean suffered severe burns to his hands, and the incident brought his 179-race F1 career to a close. Since then, he has built a successful IndyCar career in the United States, collecting six podiums and three poles.

The invitation to return came from Haas, where Grosjean raced between 2016 and 2020. Team principal Ayao Komatsu, who was also Grosjean’s race engineer during their time at Lotus, will reprise that role at Mugello.

“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,” Komatsu said.

“Romain and I have worked together throughout his entire Formula 1 career so this test at Mugello is of particular significance to us both. I’m delighted he embraced the opportunity… it should be a fun day and knowing Romain as I do, I know he’ll want to give it his all.”

For Grosjean, the chance marks an emotional return. “I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello,” he said.

“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. I’m excited to see everyone… but I’m also keen to be of use regarding the trackside agenda with the VF-23. Finally, my kids had designed my helmet for what was meant to be my final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi back in 2020 – I’m at last going to be able to give it a go in a Formula 1 car on Friday.”