Romain Grosjean’s F1 journey is about to enter a poignant new chapter as he climbs back into a Haas for the first time since his 2020 accident.

The 39-year-old Frenchman, who competed for Haas between 2016 and 2020 and remains the architect of the team’s best-ever finish (P4 in Austria 2018), was denied a proper farewell when his season and his career abruptly ended after the infamous fireball crash in Bahrain.

Surviving 28 terrifying seconds engulfed in flames, Grosjean credits F1’s halo device and the sport’s safety evolution for saving his life.

This week, Grosjean returns for a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) outing in the 2023 VF-23 at the Mugello circuit, guided by many from his original Haas crew, including team principal and former race engineer Ayao Komatsu.

Second Chances

Grosjean’s test isn’t just about the speed or adapting to the latest F1 technologies—it carries profound personal meaning. He’ll finally wear the special helmet designed by his children, initially intended for his final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2020, a race he never started because of his Bahrain injuries.

For Grosjean, the Mugello outing is a chance to create “a new, positive memory in an F1 car,” and to thank the Haas squad for their loyalty and compassion throughout his toughest days.

Having spent the intervening years in IndyCar and endurance racing, Grosjean’s resilience and passion have only grown. His return has ignited interest not only in the F1 paddock but across the motorsport world, as fans and colleagues embrace a story of survival, closure, and hope.

Haas' Legacy and a Bittersweet Reunion

The Mugello test is also a celebration of Haas’s ten years in Formula 1, a journey Grosjean helped launch. His return underlines the human side of F1: engineering milestones, personal triumphs, and the deep bonds between drivers and their teams. Many of Grosjean’s former engineers and mechanics will be trackside, ensuring this is more family reunion than technical run.

As F1 gears up for another frenetic season, Grosjean’s story is a reminder that comeback narratives are as compelling as championship battles.