Romain Grosjean is set to slide back into a Formula 1 car for the first time in nearly five years. On Friday, the French driver will test Haas’s 2023 VF-23 model at the Mugello circuit in Italy, marking his return since that dramatic fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Grosjean’s last F1 race ended in chaos when his car burst into flames after a high-speed collision. He escaped with burns on both hands but called it his 179th and final Grand Prix. From there, he jumped to IndyCar in the U.S., where he grabbed six podium finishes and three pole positions across four seasons.
Haas, his old team from 2016 to 2020, invited him for this Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session at the Tuscan track. He’ll team up again with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, who served as his race engineer back at Lotus.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Romain back into an F1 car, especially in one of ours—it’s only right,” Komatsu said. “We’ve worked together his whole F1 career, so this Mugello test means a lot to both of us.”
Grosjean couldn’t hide his excitement. “Saying I’m pumped to drive an F1 car again is an understatement,” he shared. “I can’t believe it’s been almost five years, but getting this chance with my former team feels truly special.”
He plans to add a heartfelt twist: wearing the helmet his kids designed for his intended 2020 farewell race in Abu Dhabi, which never happened.
The session won’t just feature Grosjean. Former IndyCar star and current F1 TV commentator James Hinchcliffe will also hop into the VF-23 for a special broadcast segment—his first time in an F1 car.
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