Grosjean making stunning Haas comeback: 'Truly something special'

10:00, 25 Sep

Updated: 10:09, 25 Sep

byOlly Darcy

Romain Grosjean will make a stunning return to Haas, taking part in a TPC (Testing of Previous Car) test for the American team at Mugello.

Romain Grosjean survived and did not sustain any serious injuries after a terrible crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix | Photo: Race Pictures

To say I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car would naturally be an understatement.

- Romain Grosjean

The Frenchman last got behind the wheel for Haas at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix where he suffered the terrible, firey crash that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Now, just five years after miraculously making it out of that collision with no severe injuries, the 39-year-old will make a fantastic return to help Haas and their testing.

"MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is pleased to announce that its former driver, Romain Grosjean, will return to the cockpit of one of its Formula 1 cars for the first time since the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix as the Frenchman is set to participate in a TPC (Testing of Previous Car) test at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello on Friday 26 September," the American team stated in a press release.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello,” Grosjean explained.

“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.

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"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.”

Team principal Ayao Komatsu also had plenty to say regarding the Frenchman's return: “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.”

Grosjean makes a stunning return

Grosjean drove for the Haas Formula 1 team from 2016 to 2020. His time at Haas ended at an abrupt moment due to the crash on November 29, 2020, that many Formula 1 fans can still recall. After the crash, which had an impact of 67G, a huge fire broke out. He was able to get out of the car, but had some burns on his hands.

After that crash, Grosjean then returned to racing, moving to IndyCar and racing in the American series from 2021-2024, before becoming a reserve driver for Prema Racing.

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