Romain Grosjean is set to return to a Formula One cockpit for the first time since his terrifying accident at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. On Friday 29 September 2023, the French driver will climb back into a Haas car to test the team’s VF-23 at Mugello. This outing marks a symbolic reunion between Grosjean and the team, bringing an end to a chapter that many thought had abruptly closed three years ago.
This announcement comes almost five years after Grosjean’s last Grand Prix start. His Formula One career ended in shocking circumstances when he survived a fiery crash that tore his Haas in two. Although Formula One and Haas had promised him a farewell test, complications — particularly the Coronavirus pandemic — meant that this never materialised. This Mugello outing therefore represents a significant personal milestone for Grosjean, as well as fulfilling an overdue pledge.
Grosjean’s emotional anticipation
Speaking ahead of the test, Grosjean expressed a mixture of disbelief and gratitude at the chance to return.
“To say I’m looking forward to getting back into a Formula One car would, of course, be an understatement,” he said. “I can hardly believe it’s been almost five years, and to be back now with my old team makes it truly special.”
The Frenchman admitted that he had long imagined the moment of strapping back into a Formula 1 car. Although he has enjoyed success in IndyCar since 2021, Grosjean has always acknowledged that the unfinished business of a farewell run in F1 has remained at the back of his mind. The Mugello test finally allows him to close that circle.
The Mercedes opportunity that never came
It is worth recalling that Grosjean’s return to the cockpit was originally meant to be with Mercedes. Toto Wolff had promised him a test in the team’s 2019 championship-winning W10 as a gesture of goodwill, and Lewis Hamilton was among those who supported the idea. Grosjean even underwent the seat-fitting process in Mercedes overalls. However, pandemic restrictions, a compressed racing calendar and shifting priorities meant that the plan quietly faded into the background.
Instead, it is Haas, the team with which Grosjean spent five seasons, that will deliver on the promise of a comeback. In many ways, this is a more fitting scenario, as it brings him back to the garage where he spent most of his Formula One career.
Adding further sentiment to the occasion, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu will take on his former role as Grosjean’s race engineer for the day. Komatsu guided Grosjean through much of his Formula One career, and both men have spoken openly about their close working relationship.
“Romain and I have worked together throughout his Formula One career, so this test has a very special meaning for both of us,” Komatsu said.
“I’m incredibly excited to see him back in a Formula One car, and especially proud that he’s returning in one of our cars. It’s only fitting.”
The Haas boss emphasised that Grosjean’s legacy with the team has not been forgotten. He scored the team’s first points on his debut in Australia in 2016, and although the team’s performance has been inconsistent since then, Grosjean remains central to its early identity. Only Kevin Magnussen has made more starts for the American squad.
A driver who gave his all
Komatsu suggested that the Mugello test will be more than just a ceremonial run.
“Knowing Romain, he’ll give it his all, as always. I don’t expect anything less, especially since we’ve been talking about making this possible for a long time. Many members of the crew from back then are here too.”
For Grosjean, the chance to work with familiar engineers again adds to the sense of nostalgia.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. We’ll certainly reminisce a bit, but I also want to help with the VF-23 work and the test programme,” he said.
While the day’s primary purpose is symbolic, Haas will integrate Grosjean into genuine testing duties. For the Frenchman, who has continued racing at a high level in America, this provides an opportunity to compare modern Formula One machinery with what he experienced last time.
Grosjean’s life after Formula One
After leaving Formula One, Grosjean reinvented himself in IndyCar, starting with Dale Coyne Racing in 2021 before moving to Andretti. He quickly proved his competitiveness, achieving three podium finishes in his debut season and adding three more across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. His best championship result was 13th place, which he achieved in consecutive years.
His move to IndyCar demonstrated his resilience and determination to continue racing at the top level, despite the dramatic circumstances of his F1 exit. He has become a fan favourite in the United States, renowned for his fighting spirit and his ability to adapt to oval racing.
Hinchcliffe is set to join the Mugello outing
Adding intrigue to the Mugello test, former IndyCar competitor James Hinchcliffe will also take part. Now a broadcaster for Formula One coverage, the Canadian has never previously driven an F1 car. Haas will give him the opportunity to try out the VF-23, which will be featured in a broadcast timed to coincide with the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
For Hinchcliffe, this will be a unique opportunity to experience machinery far removed from his IndyCar background. For Grosjean, by contrast, it will be a homecoming to a world he once knew intimately. The juxtaposition of their experiences should make for an interesting storyline.
Grosjean and Haas: a bond rekindled
Reflecting on Grosjean’s relationship with Haas makes it clear why this test feels so appropriate. He joined the team for its debut season, instantly helping to establish its credibility by scoring points in its first race. Over the next five years, he delivered a series of strong performances, though he was often hindered by the team’s fluctuating competitiveness.
Despite the frustrations, Grosjean remained loyal and his name has become synonymous with the team’s formative years.
The fact that many of the mechanics and engineers from that era are still with the team makes the Mugello test feel like a reunion. For a driver who endured such a traumatic exit, this chance to return on his own terms provides a sense of closure.
The wider symbolism
Grosjean’s fiery crash in Bahrain has already entered Formula One lore as an example of the sport’s safety advancements. His miraculous escape highlighted the effectiveness of the halo and modern survival cells. Seeing him step back into a car now, fully fit and eager, reinforces that story of survival.
For Formula One, Grosjean’s return serves as a reminder of the human element of the sport, where drivers form enduring bonds with teams and fans that transcend results. For Haas, Grosjean’s return provides an opportunity to celebrate its history while showcasing its current machinery.
Whether Grosjean’s Mugello test will lead to further appearances remains unclear. At 37 years old, his future is firmly rooted in IndyCar, but the test could lead to discussions about him making occasional appearances or taking on ambassadorial roles in Formula One. For now, though, the Frenchman is simply relishing the chance to race at the top level once more.
As the Mugello date approaches, anticipation is building among fans who have followed Grosjean’s career, as well as among those who marvelled at his survival in Bahrain. Seeing him climb into the Haas VF-23 will be one of the most poignant images of the 2023 season.
Killing the Porsche Partnership Lit the Fuse on Horner’s F1 Demise
MORE F1 NEWS – Did Tsunoda say more than Verstappen & Red Bull want us to believe?
Max Verstappen returned to winning ways with back-to-back victories at Monza on 8 September and Baku on 22 September. Despite the season having been dominated so far by McLaren, the reigning champion showed once again that his speed, race craft and calm execution remain intact. However, with 69 points separating him from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the standings, Verstappen’s hopes of securing a fifth consecutive world title are hanging by a thread.
At Red Bull Racing, the mood is one of cautious realism. While Verstappen’s victories have boosted morale, both the driver and the management are keen to temper expectations. After the chequered flag in Baku, Verstappen refused to speak of a title resurgence.
“Race by race, we’ll get the most out of it and see where we end up,” he said, speaking in his usual blunt manner.
Helmut Marko, never one to shy away from the spotlight, echoed this sentiment, insisting that any talk of a championship comeback must wait until the results from Singapore are in.
However, the clearest signal of intent did not come from Verstappen or Marko. Instead, it came from Yuki Tsunoda, the team’s junior partner, who revealed more than Red Bull would have liked. The Japanese driver admitted that his own driving in Baku had been influenced by the title fight.
“I was thinking about both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, for Max and for the team,” he explained.
“There were plenty of opportunities to attack Liam, but the risk of McLaren overtaking us both was too great.”
In those words lay an unvarnished truth: Red Bull are still playing the long game, and Tsunoda knows he is part of it…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Sofia Trevena is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with an academic background in cultural studies and published research on global sport. Sofia Trevena examines Formula 1 as both a competitive discipline and a cultural phenomenon, combining scholarly perspective with journalistic analysis.
At TJ13, Sofia covers topics including the global growth of Formula 1, the sport’s cultural influence, and the historical context behind modern developments. Sofia frequently writes on Formula 1 history, drawing connections between past eras and the current competitive landscape.
Her work also explores the broader social dimensions of the sport, including media narratives, fan engagement, and the globalisation of Formula 1 as an entertainment product.
With a deep interest in the sport’s heritage, Sofia provides readers with context that extends beyond race results and headlines.
Sofia aims to highlight how Formula 1 reflects wider cultural and societal trends, offering a perspective that complements technical and news-driven reporting.
1 thought on “Grosjean to return to F1”