Romain Grosjean set to make Formula 1 and Haas return in Mugello TPC testing

In a move that’s sent ripples through the paddock, Romain Grosjean is set to return to a Haas Formula 1 car at the Mugello circuit as part of the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme. On Friday, he will drive the 2023 Haas-spec VF-23, reconnecting with the team he once raced for and stepping into F1 machinery for the first time since his horrific crash more than five years ago. 

For many, this is not just a test session — it’s a symbolic full circle. Grosjean’s last Formula 1 race was the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, where a stunning first-lap accident saw his Haas car crash at high speed, split in two, and erupt into flames. He survived, escaping from the wreckage with burns, thanks in part to safety features like the halo, but that crash effectively ended his F1 career. 

When Was His Last Appearance in F1?

Grosjean’s final F1 start came at that 2020 Bahrain GP. On lap 1, contact with Daniil Kvyat’s AlphaTauri sent him careening into the barrier at ~192 km/h. The crash was brutal: the car split, ignited, and Grosjean found himself trapped and engulfed in fire for nearly 30 seconds before extricating himself.

Although he was physically able to walk away, the accident ended his 11-year F1 journey (with 179 starts, 10 podiums) and prompted him to pivot his focus to IndyCar and other racing series. 

So this Mugello test will mark his first time in a Formula 1 car in over five years. 

What the Test Means (For Grosjean and Haas)

A Personal Redemption & Emotional Moment

On a personal level, this test is emotional. Grosjean has spoken of how much it means to come back with his old team, reunited with crew members from his Haas days, and even drive with a helmet design created by his children — one originally intended for what would be his final race.

For Haas, it’s a unique opportunity to honor a driver who played a foundational role in the team’s early years. Team principal Ayao Komatsu noted the significance: having Grosjean back in one of their cars “is only fitting.” 

Technical / Sporting Value

Though this is not a competitive session, the TPC gives Haas (and fans) a chance to see how Grosjean handles modern F1 machinery, compare control inputs, and gather telemetry data from a perspective they haven’t had in years. The VF-23 is not cutting edge for 2025, but it remains relevant for evaluating systems, driver feel, and bridging past vs present processes. 

It also gives Grosjean a chance to re-acquaint his body and instincts with an F1 driving environment — the g-forces, the steering, the brake feel — which have evolved even since 2020. And for the fans, it’s a rare window into what a “return” might look like.

What Challenges and Limitations to Expect

• Physical & Reflex Readjustment: Driving in F1 is not like any other series. The fitness, reflexes, trust in the car, and mental intensity needed need reacclimation. After five years away, even a test could feel very different.

• Not a Full Race Setup: The VF-23 is not the latest car, and the test will be limited in scope: no qualifying runs or race sims, probably more controlled sessions to evaluate baseline responses.

• Expect Modest Goals: The aim is not to shock the paddock, but to re-engage, gather data, and allow Grosjean to measure himself again. It’s a test, not a competition.

• Risk vs Reward: There’s risk in exposing any weaknesses — physically, in technique, in adaptation. But with the right expectations, the test is low stakes for both sides.

What to Watch During the Test

• How quickly Grosjean adapts lap to lap — does his pace improve significantly as he becomes comfortable?

• His feedback: whether he requests changes to steering weight, brake feel, tyre sensitivity — these comments can hint at what differences he senses versus modern drivers.

• Any comparison with contemporaries: how his control inputs, smoothness, or errors differ from current drivers in the same car.

• How he responds to newer track surfaces, curbs, runoff zones etc., compared to the era he last raced in.

Final Thoughts

Romain Grosjean’s return behind the wheel of a Haas F1 car at Mugello is more than just a test — it’s a powerful reminder of his journey, survival, and the evolution of Formula 1 safety, technology, and driver legacies. For those who followed his career, this moment carries emotional weight. For Haas, it’s a chance to revisit roots. And for the paddock and fans, it’s a moment of nostalgia, curiosity, and respect.

No one expects fireworks — but we should expect a reflective, meaningful session. And perhaps, in the data and feel, a glimpse of what it is to drive an F1 car again.