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Five years after he left Formula 1, former Haas driver Romain Grosjean made a hero’s comeback to an F1 car, taking part in a test session for the American team. During the test program in Mugello, Grosjean drove the Haas VF-23 car from the 2023 season, along with F1 TV pundit and former IndyCar racer James Hinchcliffe, who got his first taste of F1. Grosjean was the team’s first driver during its inaugural campaign back in 2016 alongside Kevin Magnussen. Since his devastating crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, in which he famously caught fire and walked out of his car, Grosjean has not driven an F1 machine, but the test session allowed the team a chance for him to bid a formal farewell. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Haas F1 Team Principal Ayao Komatsu speaks with Romain Grosjean in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images) More news: Formula 1 Set to Announce New U.S. Broadcast Partner Soon After he left F1, Grosjean raced in IndyCar, though he has since left that racing series, allowing him the time for an F1 test. Friday’s test consisted of some Pirelli tire development running, but the primary focus involved Grosjean’s return to an F1 car. “It was a wet day, but as we say, it was a rainy wedding, a rainy happy wedding,” he said after the session. “So it was a rainy day, happy day, fantastic. “Just felt a bit rusty at first, and then everything came back. I even got to do a standing start, and guess what, my last standing start was Bahrain 2020. So this time it turned out way better. “Very grateful, very unique opportunity getting to see some of the people that were in Australia 2016 and get to drive the new generation of cars. It was fantastic and, again, I’m very, very grateful. There’s just no other words.” More news: From Louis Vuitton to Tag Heuer: Formula 1 is Becoming the Sport of Luxury Brands Team Principal Ayao Komatsu made an appearance during the test. Komatsu was a race engineer for Grojean in 2016, having followed the driver from Lotus to the newly created Haas team. The moment proved to be a special for the Swiss driver, who got to enjoy his passion one more time, albeit not under competitive conditions, but rather more celebratory. “They made me cry at the end of the day!” Grosjean added. “I kept my visor down, but for my last in-lap, everyone from Ferrari, Red Bull, Pirelli and of course Haas F1 team was here, clapping and giving me like an ovation. That’s something I was expecting in Abu Dhabi 2020 [for his planned F1 farewell], but I think it was even better today.” More news: F1’s Fastest Lap Ever? Max Verstappen Breaks Long-Standing Record For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
