Romain Grosjean will experience Formula 1 again for the first time since his dramatic crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. The French driver will join Haas for a special test at Mugello on Friday. He will drive the 2023-spec VF-23, almost five years after his final race.
Grosjean’s Formula 1 career ended abruptly after a fiery accident in Bahrain. His Haas car pierced the barriers and burst into flames on the opening lap. The crash left him with severe burns on his hands. That race was his 179th and final Grand Prix before he shifted his career to the United States.
Grosjean Reunites With Haas at Mugello
After leaving Formula 1, Grosjean built a strong reputation in IndyCar. He claimed six podium finishes and three pole positions in four seasons. Now, the 38-year-old will return to the cockpit thanks to an invitation from Haas. He raced for the team from 2016 to 2020 and will now reunite with them for this special test.
The Mugello session is part of Haas’ Testing of Previous Car (TPC) program. Grosjean will work again with Ayao Komatsu, his former race engineer at Lotus. Komatsu, now the team’s principal, will oversee the test.
“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 Komatsu.
“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 to come and get back behind the wheel with us, a day that’s going to be made extra special by having so many members of the original crew back together to witness it.
“It should be a fun day and knowing Romain as I do, I know he’ll want to give it his all as usual – I’d expect nothing less, not least as we’ve talked about making this happen for a long time now.”
Grosjean Calls Return “Something Special”
Grosjean shared his excitement and gratitude about reuniting with Haas. “I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello.
“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, I’m sure we’ll spend a bit of time reminiscing about the old days, but I’m also keen to be of use regarding the trackside agenda with the VF-23 – it’s great the team now has the TPC program as part of its on-going development.
“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.”
Hinchcliffe to Drive Haas VF-23 for F1 TV Feature
The Mugello test will also feature another special moment. Former IndyCar racer and current F1 TV presenter James Hinchcliffe will drive a Formula 1 car for the first time. He will pilot the same VF-23 as part of a feature for F1 TV.
For Grosjean, this day will be more than a test session. It will mark a powerful return to the pinnacle of motorsport. Nearly five years after the accident that ended his F1 career, he will once again feel the speed and emotion of driving a Formula 1 car — this time with the team that helped define his legacy.
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