Toto Wolff: “He has had a long and successful F1 career and we wanted to make sure that his last memories are behind the wheel of a car that won the championship.” Grosjean will drive the title winner W10 at Paul Ricard in June, also ahead of the French GP
Last updated: 05/05/21 8:11 am
Romain Grosjean will make an emotional return to an F1 car for the first time since his terrible accident at the 2020 Bahrain GP in a special test for Mercedes next month.
The Frenchman will drive Lewis Hamilton’s W10, which won the 2019 title in 2019, in a full-day test at the Paul Ricard circuit in his home country on June 29th. He will also do demonstration laps in the car two days earlier at the French GP.
Grosjean suffered burns to his hands when his Haas car pierced the barriers and went up in flames on the first lap of the Bahrain race last November.
2:00 Warning: The video shows Haas rider Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after falling on the first lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Warning: The video shows Haas rider Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after falling on the first lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Grosjean had said he would ask on the grid if he could have one last outing in a car – a wish that Mercedes boss Toto wanted. Wolff was quick to say that the world champions would come true.
Six months later, the Mercedes run has now been confirmed.
“I’m really excited to jump back in an F1 car! It will be a special opportunity for me to drive a Mercedes that will win the world championship,” said Grosjean.
“I’m very grateful to Mercedes F1 and Toto for the opportunity. The first time I heard of the opportunity to drive a Mercedes was in my hospital bed in Bahrain when Toto spoke to the media and made the invitation. Reading this News cheered me up a lot!
“F1 didn’t have a chance to drive in France in 2020 due to COVID. So it will be 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 can.” Don’t wait for the day to come. “
1:24 Warning: The video shows Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after falling on the first lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Warning: The video shows Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after falling on the first lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Wolff said: “We are very excited to support Romain on this special occasion. 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 would be in one. ” F1 car.
“I’ve known Romain since his Formula Three days when he won the championship. He’s had a long and successful F1 career and we wanted to make sure his last memories are behind the wheel of a championship-winning car. I am. ” 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 step 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 to see Romain back on track. “
Grosjean continues his racing career in IndyCar, where he finished 10th on his debut last month.
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