Grosjean had been promised a farewell test by his former team shortly after the 2020 crash, but the plan was delayed multiple times due to calendar changes, logistical challenges, and his move to IndyCar.
The Frenchman spent five seasons racing for Haas from 2016 to 2020, playing a pivotal role in helping the American outfit establish itself on the F1 grid.
His violent accident at Sakhir in November 2020, in which his car split the barriers and caught fire, left him with burns to his hands and ruled out what was meant to be his final pair of races for the team.
The following year, the 39-year-old moved to IndyCar, where he raced until last year.
Haas had always maintained its commitment to letting Grosjean say goodbye properly from behind the wheel.
Grosjean’s test was five years in the making
Haas F1 Team
The long-awaited opportunity came to fruition at Mugello on Friday in a 2023 car, as part of a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) run.
The French driver took to the track in the morning, with Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu in attendance, the Japanese acting as Grosjean’s race engineer.
Also present was Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.
Grosjean drove for Vasseur’s teams in the junior formulas, specifically in Formula 3 with ASM and ART Grand Prix, where Vasseur was team principal and co-founder.
The test took place on a wet circuit, with Grosjean sporting a helmet designed by his children, which he had been planning to wear for his final grand prix in 2020.
Also on track was ex-IndyCar driver James Hinchcliff, who made his debut in a Formula 1 car as part of a feature for Formula 1’s official TV channel.
“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, who was Grosjean’s race engineer when they were both at the Renault/Lotus team during 2012-2014 before they worked together again at Haas, ahead of the test.
“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.”
Romain’s F1 career came to an abrupt finish due to the Bahrain crash
Getty Images
For Grosjean, the Mugello run was a chance to close a personal chapter and an overdue farewell following the abrupt finish to his F1 career in Bahrain.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello,” the Frenchman said before the run.
Romain Grosjean’s escape from his horrific Bahrain crash in 2020 had very little to do with luck. A series of safety features protected him at every stage. Here’s how they worked
By
Motor Sport
“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.”
At the time of his accident, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also offered Grosjean the chance to complete a private test in one of its cars once he had recovered.
While the plan was warmly received across the paddock, it never materialised, Grosjean saying, “I’m gonna be honest, it’s on my side. It’s my fault. I just haven’t found the time recently to. I think we had everything set up in 2021, but, you know, Covid didn’t really help.”
