Grosjean to test Haas VF23 at Mugello, first F1 run since 2020 crash

Romain Grosjean will re-enter a Formula One cockpit on Friday when he tests Haas's 2023 VF23 at the Mugello circuit in Italy, nearly five years after a fiery crash in the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix ended his F1 career. The outing, announced by Haas, will be conducted as part of the team's Testing of Previous Cars program and reunites Grosjean with several members of the crew who worked with him during his time at the team.

Haas said the session will be overseen by team principal Ayao Komatsu, who previously served as Grosjean's race engineer, while Dominic Haines, Grosjean's final Haas race engineer, and Ian Staniforth, his former number one mechanic, will also be on hand. Grosjean said he was "incredibly grateful" to Gene Haas and Komatsu for the invitation and called the day "truly something special." He also plans to wear a helmet designed by his children that he never got to use at his intended final race in Abu Dhabi in 2020.

The test is Grosjean's first time back in F1 machinery since the opening lap of the Sakhir race on November 29, 2020, when his Haas struck the barrier, split and caught fire. Accounts of the crash vary: reports cited impact forces of about 67g and speeds...