Five years after his near-fatal accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean will return to Formula One testing tomorrow at Mugello circuit in Italy.

The 39-year-old French driver will take the wheel of Haas’s VF-23, the car previously raced by Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.

Romain Grosjean: F1 star set for set for return for first time since horrifying accident that left him hospitalised

This marks Grosjean’s first time in an F1 car since the terrifying incident that ended his 179th Grand Prix prematurely in 2020.

The test forms part of Haas’s Testing of Previous Cars programme.

Romain Grosjean

Romain Grosjean suffered a horrifying crash in 2020

 | GETTY

Grosjean’s former race engineer Ayao Komatsu, now Haas team principal, will oversee the test session, reuniting the pair who worked together at both Lotus and Haas.

The November 2020 crash remains one of Formula One’s most shocking incidents in recent memory. Grosjean’s car struck a barrier at 140mph, generating a devastating 67G impact that split the vehicle in two.

The wreckage burst into flames immediately, trapping the driver inside the burning cockpit for 27 seconds. Modern F1 safety innovations proved their worth that day – the halo device and fire-resistant overalls saved his life.

Despite the inferno, Grosjean emerged with only burns to the backs of his hands. The accident forced him to miss the season’s final two races, bringing an unexpected end to his five-year stint with Haas.

Following his recovery, Grosjean pursued opportunities in IndyCar and endurance racing, including participation in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff extended an invitation for

Grosjean expressed profound appreciation for the opportunity, stating: “I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello.”

He acknowledged the significance of the moment: “To say I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a F1 car would naturally be an understatement.”

The test carries particular emotional weight, as Grosjean will wear a helmet created by his children for what should have been his farewell race in Abu Dhabi 2020.

“My kids had designed my helmet for what was meant to be my final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi back in 2020 I’m at last going to be able to give it a go in a Formula One car on Friday,” he revealed.