Romain Grosjean to drive F1 car for first time since fiery crash

Romain Grosjean is set to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since he escaped a fiery crash five years ago.

The ride will come for Grosjean's former Haas team in a 2023-spec during a test run at Mugello, Italy, on Friday.

Grosjean was last seen in an F1 car when he climbed out of his vehicle that was engulfed in flames after crashing through the barriers on the opening lap of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. He suffered extensive burns on both hands but otherwise escaped without major injuries.

"To say I'm excited to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car would naturally be an understatement," he said. "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."

Grosjean, 39, raced for Haas from 2016-20, and Bahrain was the 179th F1 start of his career. The Frenchman has since competed in IndyCar and endurance racing, and the invite to return to an F1 car came from Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.

"Romain and I have worked together throughout his entire Formula 1 career so this test at Mugello is of particular significance to us both," Komatsu said.

"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."

Grosjean said he will wear a helmet that was designed by his kids that was meant to be for his final grand prix at Abu Dhabi in 2020 -- a race he was unable to compete in following the fiery accident.

"I'm at last going to be able to give it a go in a Formula 1 car on Friday," he said.

--Field Level Media