Romain Grosjean: from hell to his F1 comeback
French driver Romain Grosjean is preparing for a surprising return with Haas for a Test Previous Cars (TPC) session scheduled tomorrow at the Mugello Circuit. This event marks his first time behind the wheel of a contemporary F1 car built according to current ground-effect aerodynamic regulations. The car in question is the 2023 Haas VF-23.
Grosjean last competed in Formula 1 at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, an event overshadowed by a horrific crash where his car hit the barriers at 67G and caught fire. Miraculously, he survived with relatively minor injuries, but the accident marked the end of his F1 career, leading him to retire from the sport after missing the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Following his departure from the pinnacle of motorsport, Grosjean successfully transitioned to IndyCar, earning the Rookie of the Year award at the 2021 Indy 500, and also participated in various endurance racing championships. His experience and skill have kept him in the motorsport spotlight.
Details of Romain Grosjean’s return with Haas
Grosjean will drive the 2023 Haas VF-23 during the TPC at Mugello. While this session is occasional and does not constitute a full-time F1 return, it offers a unique opportunity for him to reacquaint himself with a Formula 1 car and celebrate his longstanding connection with the Haas team.
During the test, Grosjean will work again with key figures from his Haas career, including Ayao Komatsu, the current team principal of the American team, who will act as his track engineer for the session, and Dominic Haines, his race engineer during the 2019–2020 seasons.
Grosjean will also wear a custom helmet designed by his children, originally intended for the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but never used due to the Bahrain accident.
Statements from the protagonists
Romain Grosjean expressed his gratitude: “I am incredibly thankful to Gene Haas and Ayao for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello. I can’t believe it’s been almost five years, but returning and having this opportunity with my old team is truly something special.”
Ayao Komatsu added: “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Romain Grosjean back into a Formula 1 car for the first time in five years, but above all, I am proud he’s doing it with one of our cars: it’s the right thing.”
This represents a symbolic moment for both Romain Grosjean and Haas, with whom he raced from 2017 to 2020, contributing to the team’s early development in the top tier of motorsport. Grosjean’s return, considering his dramatic 2020 crash, adds an element of emotion and resilience to the story, making this TPC session a significant occasion for him and for F1 fans worldwide.
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