Romain Grosjean Makes Emotional Formula 1 Return at Mugello Test After 2020 Crash

Romain Grosjean made an emotional return to Formula 1 by driving a Haas VF-23 car at a test in Mugello, Italy, five years after his career-ending crash in Bahrain. The test, part of the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program alongside Pirelli's development work, allowed Grosjean to reconnect with his former team and relive his F1 career, including performing a standing start for the first time since his 2020 accident. Despite rainy conditions, Grosjean felt the experience was a "rainy happy wedding" and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and the support from the F1 community, including an ovation from teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, Pirelli, and Haas. The event provided the farewell Grosjean missed at the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and was marked by emotional moments, including tears behind his visor during the final lap. Team principal Ayao Komatsu, who had been Grosjean's race engineer, and other team members were present, making the day special and nostalgic. Grosjean's return highlights both his enduring bond with Haas and the respect he commands in the Formula 1 paddock.