Hinchcliffe driving Haas VF-23 in Mugello - Haas F1 team

IndyCar legend left 'speechless' after 'incredible' Formula 1 debut

10:59, 27 Sep

Updated: 12:35, 27 Sep

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byTobia Elia

James Hinchcliffe, like Romain Grosjean, had the opportunity to drive a Haas Formula 1 car yesterday at Mugello.

"Just an incredible experience, an incredible machine. It's a day I'm going to remember for a long time"

- James Hinchcliffe

The former IndyCar driver and current F1 analyst had the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time during a TPC (Test Previous Cars) session organized by Haas at Mugello.

Speaking about his impressions at the end of the day, Hinchcliffe said: "First day in a Formula 1 car, done. What a great day here at Mugello. Started out wet. Grosjean was in the car first and he got a lot of laps done then and gave me a little bit of advice, as did Esteban, before I jumped in similar conditions.

"Then, luckily, the rain stopped and the sun came out, and for the very last run of the day I was able to bolt on some slicks and get a sense of what this thing can do in dry conditions.

"Kind of speechless, honestly, at the end of the day—which is saying something for a guy that talks for a living."

He finally added: "An incredible experience, an incredible machine. Can't thank everybody at Haas Racing enough. And it's a day I'm going to remember for a long time.

"Hopefully, I'll find a way to get to do this again sometime, because I really enjoyed it and would love to do it again. But again, can't thank everybody on the team enough."

James Hinchcliffe - Photo: Race Picutres

Grosjean back behind the wheel of a Haas after five years

Yesterday, Romain Grosjean also had the chance to get back behind the wheel of the VF-23. Last time he drove a Haas car was in his last F1 season in 2020—the very same one from which he miraculously emerged alive after the tragic Bahrain crash.

The Frenchman completed several laps around the Italian circuit and later shared his impressions of returning to the cockpit at the end of the day.

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