Romain Grosjean will drive Haas’ 2023 Formula 1 car at Mugello on Friday, marking his first run in F1 machinery since his horrific Bahrain Grand Prix accident in 2020.
A stalwart of the team in its early years, Grosjean joined Haas in 2016 and scored 104 points during his five seasons with the American outfit. Whilst set to depart at the end of 2020, the Franco-Swiss driver sustained a terrifying incident on the opening lap of the Bahrain race in which his car burst through the barrier and was set ablaze by a ruptured fuel line.
Thanks to the halo, Grosjean escaped the incident with only burns to his hands and legs, although was replaced by reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi for the final two races of the season as he recovered from his injuries.
Although Grosjean was due to mark a return to F1 machinery with a run at Circuit Paul Ricard in a Mercedes in 2021, COVID restrictions meant that this was called off.
Four years after those plans were scuppered, Grosjean will return to the saddle with his former team in a testing of previous cars run; he will drive the VF-23 piloted by Nico Hulkenberg and his former team-mate Kevin Magnussen.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu, who was Grosjean’s race engineer at Haas and Lotus, will fulfil the same role at Mugello.
“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,” Komatsu said.
“Romain and I have worked together throughout his entire Formula 1 career so this test at Mugello is of particular significance to us both.
Romain Grosjean, Haas VF-20
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“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.”
After his F1 career ended, Grosjean moved to IndyCar for 2021, joining Dale Coyne Racing for a successful debut campaign, before spending the following two years with Andretti. He then raced for Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2024, before moving to series newcomer Prema in a reserve role.
Grosjean will use the helmet – with a design penned by his children – that he had planned to race with in his last grand prix in 2020 before his time in F1 was cut short.
“I’m incredibly grateful to [team owner] Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello,” Grosjean added.
“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.”
Former IndyCar driver and F1TV analyst James Hinchcliffe will also drive the car at Mugello; this will be the first time that the Canadian (a six-time race winner in IndyCar) will drive F1 machinery.
