In summary: Romain Grosjean says Mercedes intends to honor their commitment to let him drive one of their Formula 1 cars, made following his violent crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Become a RaceFans supporter and ad-free
RaceFans works in part thanks to the support of its readers. To fund the development and growth of the site, please consider becoming a RaceFans supporter.
You can also upgrade to an ad-free account for just £1 a month/£12 a year. Sign up and learn more below:
in the letter
Grosjean’s Mercedes test is yet to come
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff promised Grosjean a test in one of their cars after his shock accident in Bahrain ended his F1 career. The public run and private test were scheduled for last year but both had to be canceled after F1 made changes to its calendar.
Grosjean confirmed he has spoken to Wolff, who has indicated his testing opportunity will be moved between the 23 races of the 2022 F1 calendar.
“I sent a message to Toto in Abu Dhabi,” Grosjean said. “I let a few weeks go by and then I sent a message to Toto and he replied and it started with ‘thank you’ and then the last sentence was ‘we have to put you in this car this year’. So yes, it’s still on the horizon.”
He was originally slated to drive the car at the French Grand Prix last year until the date of the race was pushed back. “There were a few things over the past year that didn’t make it easy,” he admitted.
“I can’t go to the French Grand Prix this year because we’re going to Iowa on the same weekend. But in any case, yes, Mercedes is up for it, I’m up for it, even if my neck would die because I lost part of the muscles there.
“But yes, we still want to do it and if it happens great, but the main focus now is to win races with Andretti.”
Deal to reveal early F1 races from ITV archives
F1 races that were broadcast live by ITV in the Sixties and Seventies are set to be unearthed after the British TV network struck a deal with Racing Past Media to search its archive. Footage includes the dramatic, rain-swept 1976 title decision at Fuji, Japan, and other races televised prior to 1981.
Former F1 presenter Steve Rider, who runs RPM, said the archive includes documentary and feature material as well as races. “This is the first step in a project which, together with collaboration with other archives and rights holders, will help provide a complete and accessible archive of the founding years of the Formula 1 World Championship.”
Formula E unveils new safety car
Porsche Taycan Turbo S Formula E Safety Car
Formula E has a new safety car for the upcoming season, which kicks off later this month in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. BMW’s exit from the series means the Mini Electric Pacesetter will no longer be seen at the front of the field, so Porsche has provided examples of its Taycan Turbo S, which can reach 260 km/h and go from 0 in 2.8 seconds accelerated to 100 km/h.
Ad | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Ad | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Markg!
