Grosjean Returns to F1 with Haas VF‑23 Test

Romain Grosjean returned to an F1 cockpit at Mugello last week, driving Haas’s 2023 VF‑23 as part of the team’s Testing of Previous Car programme. It was his first time back in an F1 car since his 67G fireball crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, and he wore the helmet his children designed for what would have been his final Abu Dhabi race. Grosjean completed standing starts and qualifying-style laps despite feeling rusty at first, and received a standing ovation and guard of honour from Haas staff and representatives from Ferrari, Red Bull and Pirelli. He said the outing showed he “can still do it” and left open the possibility of a return if the right opportunity emerged. Grosjean, who raced 179 F1 grands prix with 10 podiums before moving to IndyCar and endurance racing, acknowledged practical roadblocks to a full-time comeback after several mixed IndyCar seasons and is currently without a seat for 2025.