Romain Grosjean has completed his farewell Formula 1 test with Haas, five years on from the horror crash that nearly killed the popular Frenchman.
Back at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, a crash that haunts F1 personnel to this day took place, countered by a miracle and survival instincts from Roman Grosjean.
Starting the race down an uncompetitive 19th ahead of his final races with Haas, he crashed at speed into a concrete barrier, tearing his car in two.
Grosjean, now embedded in the barrier from the impact, stuck facing sideways and surrounded by fire, fought for almost thirty seconds to extricate himself from his car.
Television cameras and the world’s audiences looked on as the Frenchman leapt over the barriers, suffering the minor injury of severe burns to his hands.
Walking away from F1 at the end of the season, he has long maintained the viewpoint of unfinished business with F1, aiming for a return.
Five years on, Grosjean has fulfilled that desire, taking part in a one day Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) test at Mugello with Haas, driving the VF23 used in the 2023 season.
Running the number 8 on his car on Friday, the same he used during his F1 tenure, details about the test remain scarce, however, wet weather adding excitement to his day.
Grosjean was captured by cameras analysing data with his engineers, and engaged in lighthearted conversation with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu.
The Team Principal took a temporary demotion for the day, acting as race engineer for the returning driver, revisiting their former days of working together.
Grosjean also wore a helmet designed by his family for his planned final race in Abu Dhabi in 2020 that never materialised as he recovered from his horrific injuries.
Having spent 2025 as a driver for Lamborghini in IMSA, and as reserve driver for the new Prema team in IndyCar, Grosjean’s prospects for 2026 remain a mystery.
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