Grosjean to Drive Haas F1 Car in First Outing Since 2020 Crash

Sports

Almost five years after his fiery crash in Bahrain, Romain Grosjean will get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car driving a 2023 Haas in a special test at Mugello that reunites him with old teammates and the helmet his children designed.

His last F1 outing ended in that terrifying high-speed accident: driving at 192 km/h, his car pierced the barrier, split in two and ignited in a fireball. He miraculously escaped after 27 seconds, suffering burns to his hands.

This test is especially meaningful Grosjean will wear the helmet his children designed for what was intended to be his final grand prix (Abu Dhabi 2020), a race he never got to contest.

Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 getting out of his car that is on fire

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who once served as Grosjean’s race engineer, will again be at the controls during the outing. He said it’s “only fitting” that Grosjean returns in a Haas car and that reuniting with members of his original crew will make the occasion special.

When his F1 career ended in 2020, the crash robbed him of a proper farewell. Since then, Grosjean has raced in IndyCar and sportscar series in the U.S., but this test offers closure and a bridge to his F1 past.

Grosjean expressed gratitude to Haas and Komatsu for making the return possible, calling the chance to get back in the car “truly something special.”

Also joining the session is former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, who will drive the same VF-23 for a feature with F1 TV.

As anticipation builds, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how Grosjean handles the car, how much performance has changed since his last days in F1, and what emotion is stirred by this long-awaited reunion.