Romain Grosjean returns to F1 like a fairytale with a one-off Mercedes test

Exactly seven months after his terrible fiery fall at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean makes a sensational return to an F1 cockpit when he completes a one-off test for world champion Mercedes.

The 35-year-old Frenchman was determined that his final act in an F1 machine would not be the crash that made headlines around the world, leaving him badly burned to his hands.

Grosjean had to skip the last two races of the season for Haas and was recovering in the hospital when he received the promise of an F1 test with Mercedes from Toto Wolff, boss of Silver Arrows, to make sure he could get his Grand Prix Racing history alone could end terms.

READ MORE: ‘Crazy … I’ve never seen a fire like this’ – The Medical Car team describes the scene that awaited them after the Grosjean crash

True to this promise, Grosjean Lewis Hamilton’s W10, who won the 2019 championship in 2019, will drive a full-day test at the French Grand Prix venue, Circuit Paul Ricard, on June 29 – seven months after his fall.

Grosjean will be driving the car two days before his home race in the same location for a series of demonstration laps.

Grosjeans Crash: What Saved Him and What Happens Next?

“I’m so excited to jump back in an F1 car!” said Grosjean, who attended a seat adjustment and simulator session at the Mercedes plant in Brackley on March 30. “It will be a special opportunity for me to drive a Mercedes that has won the world championship, it will be a unique experience.

“I am very grateful to Mercedes F1 and Toto for the opportunity. The first time I heard about the opportunity to drive a Mercedes was in my hospital bed in Bahrain when Toto spoke to the media and made the invitation. Read that the news exhilarated me!

“Due to Covid, F1 didn’t have a chance to drive in France in 2020. 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. ” I can’t wait for the day to come. “

READ MORE: Grosjean on how he escaped a fiery fall, his secret injury, whether he’ll be racing again – and more

Toto Wolff added that the inspiration behind the drive was to let Grosjean – who now drives in Indycar – end his F1 career in an appropriate manner.

“We are very excited to be supporting Romain on this special occasion,” he said. “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.

“He has 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. I’m curious what Romain’s feedback on the W10 is.

“Romain’s accident reminds us of the dangers these guys face every time they 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. “

READ MORE: Grosjean says he thought of Niki Lauda and revealed he saw death coming in a fiery crash in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton also had a few words for the man who got on his former steed and said he was “really happy” to see the Frenchman back in an F1 cockpit. “When it happened we all prayed for him and saw him walk away and recover so well was a massive relief,” added Hamilton.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him again in France and welcoming him to the team for the weekend – even though he’s taking better care of my W10.”

It will be an emotional occasion. Whatever you do, make sure you get ready for the French Grand Prix on June 27th.

Romain Grosjean returns to F1 with a special one-off Mercedes test