haas F1 to Give Romain Grosjean Formula 1 Return in Mugello Test
Mugello, Italy – former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean will return to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car for the first time in nearly five years, piloting the Haas VF-23 during a test at the Mugello circuit. The test marks an emotional comeback for Grosjean, who suffered severe burns in a fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, ending his F1 career with Haas at the time.
Haas team principal Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu have invited Grosjean to participate in the test, which is part of the team’s new Tire Performance campaign (TPC) program aimed at further developing the VF-23. Grosjean expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am incredibly grateful that they invited me to the TPC test in Mugello. To say that I am looking forward to getting back into a Formula 1 car again would be an understatement. I can hardly believe that I can return after almost five years.”
The reunion is especially poignant as Grosjean previously raced for the Lotus F1 team alongside Komatsu, who joined the US racing team with Grosjean in 2016. Several other familiar faces from his previous F1 tenure will also be present, including Dominic Haines, formerly a racing engineer for a prominent test pilot, and Ian Staniforth, who served as the number one mechanic on Grosjean’s car.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. We will certainly talk about the good old days,” Grosjean said. “But I also want to meet the test plan with the VF-23. It is really great that the team now has a TPC program for further development.” He also revealed he will be wearing a special helmet designed by his children for the planned 2020 abu Dhabi Grand Prix,a race he was unable to participate in due to his injuries.
Alongside Grosjean, former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe will also participate in the test, contributing content for Formula 1’s official television channel to be broadcast during the Haas team’s home race in Austin. Despite a promising start to his IndyCar career,Grosjean was unable to secure a breakthrough victory in the series.
