Romain Grosjean will be back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. The Franco-Swiss driver is set to participate in a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session at the Autodrome Internazionale del Mugello on Friday, September 26, in the Haas VF-23. This marks Grosjean’s first return to a Formula 1 car since his terrifying crash in Bahrain.
Romain Grosjean served as a driver for the Haas team from 2016 to 2020. His time in Formula 1 came to an abrupt end following a horrifying crash during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. During the opening round of the race, the driver hit the barriers with a force of 67G, causing his car to burst into flames. Grosjean managed to escape from his vehicle in time but suffered burns to his hands.
Over five years later, Grosjean will once again step into a Haas vehicle at Mugello. The driver will be in the VF-23, the car that Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg drove in the 2023 Formula 1 Championship. Members of Grosjean’s original crew from his Haas days will be present at the test, as will current team boss Ayao Komatsu. The Japanese was previously Grosjean’s race engineer and will resume this role during the test day.”I am incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello,” Grosjean shares in the press release. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost five years, but to return and have this test day with my old team is truly special. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. We will undoubtedly reminisce about the past, but I also want to contribute to the trackside program with the VF-23. It’s fantastic that the team now has the TPC program as part of its ongoing development.”
Helmet
Grosjean also reveals that he will be wearing a very special helmet during his test day at Mugello. “My children designed my helmet for what should have been my last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi in 2020. On Friday, I can finally try it out in a Formula 1 car.”
