Romain Grosjean to drive F1 car for first time since horror fireball crash

Romain Grosjean is set to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since his terrifying fireball crash that nearly claimed his life. The Frenchman's F1 career came to an abrupt end following the horrific 67G Bahrain smash in November 2020, which saw his Haas vehicle burst into flames but, miraculously, he survived.

Grosjean managed to free himself from the cockpit and was rescued from the inferno by FIA doctor Ian Roberts. He sustained burns to the back of his hands in what turned out to be his final F1 race before moving on to compete in the American IndyCar racing series.

In 2021, Mercedes offered Grosjean an F1 test, however, it was postponed due to Covid-related travel complications and never took place. But on Friday, his former team is staging a test at Mugello in Italy.

An excited Grosjean, now 39, said: "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. 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."

Ayao Komatsu, currently the Haas team principal, will return to his previous role as Grosjean's race engineer for the day. He previously performed this role for the Frenchman at Lotus and then at Haas. He is among several members of the driver's original crew who will reunite with him for this unique event.

Dominic Haines, who worked as Grosjean's race engineer during his final two campaigns after Komatsu's promotion to a senior position, will supervise the test. His previous chief mechanic, Ian Staniforth, alongside several other team members will also be present.

Komatsu commented: "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. 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."