Nearly five years after his horrific crash during the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean has once again driven a Haas Formula 1 car. The Frenchman took to the wheel of his old team’s VF-23 during a special test day at Mugello, finally getting a fitting farewell from the American racing team and Formula 1. After a fitting tribute to Grosjean, emotions ran high.
During the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean miraculously escaped death. In a crash during the opening round, his Haas car split in two, engulfing the entire vehicle in a fireball. The French driver also endured a 67G impact. Grosjean was trapped in his car for nearly half a minute before he escaped the inferno with the help of the marshals. The crash abruptly ended his Formula 1 career – he missed the remaining races and did not secure a seat for 2021.
Since then, Grosjean has been making waves in IndyCar and American sports car classes. However, he hoped to one day bid a fitting farewell to Haas and Formula 1. That wish came true on Friday when Haas allowed him to participate at Mugello under the so-called TPC rules (Testing of Previous Cars). Despite the poor weather conditions, the 39-year-old driver thoroughly enjoyed himself: “It’s like a wedding: rain brings luck,” he commented afterwards. “It was fantastic! At first, I was a bit rusty, but then everything felt familiar again. I was even allowed to make a standing start, my first since Bahrain 2020 – this time it went a lot better,” he joked.
Tears in the Car
The moment was made even more poignant as Grosjean was driving with the helmet his three children had designed for him in 2020, intended for his planned farewell race in Abu Dhabi. The helmet had remained unused on the shelf for the past five years. After his final lap, the Frenchman was also treated to a guard of honor by staff from Ferrari, Red Bull, Pirelli, and of course, Haas. “I kept my visor down, but in reality, I was just crying,” Grosjean revealed. “This was perhaps even more beautiful than what I had expected back in Abu Dhabi.”
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu was visibly moved as well: “Romain and I have worked together throughout his entire Formula 1 career,” added the Japanese. “His return in one of our cars feels particularly fitting. Many of the original crew members were present, which made this day extra special.”
