Grosjean drives a Mercedes-AMG W10 at the French GP 2021

Romain Grosjean The 2019 Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 car will drive a one-time test at Paul Ricard on June 29, seven months after its horror crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.

You will of course remember the accident: Grosjean hit the barriers at over 190 km / h +, with a peak force of 67 G tearing his Haas in half, causing them to burst into a giant ball of fire. After being trapped in the flame for almost half a minute, he somehow writhed free and spent the next few days in the hospital, where he was treated for burns to his hands and ankles.

PHOTO BY Mercedes AMG Petronas

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Although his injuries have healed enough to compete in IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing this year, they were too severe for him to compete in the final two Grand Prix of the 2020 season. By then, it was already clear he was headed for the exit when his team lined up a new pair of drivers, but the crash seemed like a gruesome end to his F1 history.

Enter Toto Wolff: The Mercedes-AMG F1 boss promised Grosjean a more fitting farewell when he was lying in his hospital bed. Let’s not forget that this is a driver who has finished 10 podiums in a decade of a career in the top tier of motorsport.

Now we know it’s really happening: Grosjean will do a few demo laps in Lewis Hamilton’s W10 before it French Grand Prix next month, followed by a full private test two days later on his home track.

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PHOTO BY Mercedes AMG Petronas

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“I’m so excited to jump back in an F1 car!” said Grosjean. “I am very grateful to Mercedes F1 and Toto for the opportunity. F1 didn’t have a chance to drive in France in 2020 due to COVID. So it will be something special to drive a Mercedes at the French Grand Prix in 2021 and then do a test on the Circuit Paul Ricard, my home track. I can’t wait for the day to come. “

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Wolff added: “The idea first came when it looked like Romain was about to end his active career in Formula 1 and we didn’t want his accident to be his last moment in an F1 car. I’ve known Romain since his Formula 3 days when he won the championship. He had a long and successful F1 career and we wanted to make sure his last memories were behind the wheel of a car that won the championship.

PHOTO BY Mercedes AMG Petronas

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“Romain’s accident reminds us of the dangers these guys face every climb into the cockpit, but it is also testament to the incredible steps the sport has taken to improve safety over the years. I know the F1 community will celebrate when Romain is back on track. “

You bet. The W10 won 15 out of 21 races in 2019, clinching 10 pole positions and nine fastest laps. Given the regulations at the time, it is one of the fastest F1 cars ever built.

So you say goodbye.

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NOTE: This article was first published on TopGear.com. Minor changes were made.

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