Romain Grosjean’s Haas Formula 1 car from his monstrous crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix will go on public display for the first time in Madrid next month.
The display will be part of the F1 Exhibition experience, allowing fans to witness the car in person.
Grosjean careered into the barriers on the opening lap of the race in Bahrain over two years ago following contact with Daniil Kvyat.
His car burst into flames, with Grosjean engulfed in them for almost 30 seconds before he managed to escape.
It marked Grosjean’s last race in F1, as he was supposed to retire at the end of the year – but due to burns that he suffered on his hands, he didn’t return to the cockpit for the last two grands prix of the season.
The crash further signified the advancement of driver safety in F1.
Speaking to the F1 Exhibition team, Grosjean recalled the accident: “From my point of view, it was a big accident but I didn’t realise the impact or how violent it was from the outside.
“It was only the next day when I asked someone to show me what it looked like that I realised. My wife was actually watching that race with my dad and my kids.
“They will remember that moment their entire life. They were just spectators waiting to hear something… waiting to see something from Bahrain.
“I had to break the headrest, punching it with my helmet and then I eventually managed to get my helmet through and stand up in the seat.
“I realised my left foot was stuck into the chassis and I pulled as hard as I could on my left leg. My shoe stayed in the chassis but my foot came loose so I was free to exit the car.
“It was 120 kilos of fuel plus the battery – both were on fire. Dr Ian Roberts, Alan [van der Merwe] from the medical car and one fireman were trying to open a gap in the fire to help me get out. I believe that helped me at least to get a vision of where I had to go and where the exit was.
“The survival cell is there for you in case of a huge impact. I was intact inside the shell. The chassis is still in one piece, the halo is there and apart from the damage and burn it is still as it should be. I guess that saved my life.”
The exhibition will open on March 24 at the renowned IFEMA MADRID. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
