Mugello, Sep 25 (NationPress) Romain Grosjean is set to return to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car for the first time since the harrowing incident at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. He will be testing Haas’s 2023-spec VF-23 at the Mugello circuit this Friday.

The French driver’s last appearance in F1 took place nearly five years ago in Bahrain, where he remarkably survived a devastating crash that resulted in severe burns on both hands. That race marked his 179th and final Grand Prix before transitioning to IndyCar in the United States, where he achieved six podium finishes and three pole positions over four seasons.

Now, invited back by his former team Haas, Grosjean will reconnect with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, who served as his race engineer at Lotus, during a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session at the Tuscan track.

“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Romain Grosjean back into a Formula 1 car after five years, and I’m particularly proud that he’s returning in one of our vehicles – it’s only fitting,” Komatsu stated. “Romain and I have collaborated throughout his entire F1 career, making this test at Mugello especially meaningful for us both.”

Grosjean, who raced for Haas from 2016 to 2020, expressed his eagerness for this opportunity: “To say I’m thrilled to be back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car would be an understatement. I can hardly believe it’s been almost five years, but returning to my old team for this outing is incredibly special.”

Adding a personal touch, Grosjean shared that he will wear the helmet designed by his children, initially intended for his farewell race in Abu Dhabi in 2020.

The Mugello test will also feature former IndyCar driver and current F1 TV broadcaster James Hinchcliffe, who will experience the VF-23 for the first time as part of a special segment.