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Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 looks on as drivers line up on the grid for a photo prior to day one of Formula 1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 looks on as drivers line up on the grid for a photo prior to day one of Formula 1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
It has only been a few months since Romain Grosjean suffered a horrendous crash in the 2020 F1 Bahrain GP. The Haas driver, though, made a miraculous escape from the scene of the crash, and fortunately sustained just minor burns.
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But recently, Grosjean made his comeback to professional racing with Dale Coyne Racing in IndyCar pre-season testing. Rest assured, the 34-year-old was happy to be back in a car, getting to grips with some new equipment.
Speaking in an interview, Haas F1 owner Gene Haas revealed he was due to provide sponsorship for the Frenchman in his racing career’s new chapter. However, following the incident in Bahrain, he chose to not take it any further.
he has stated his reason as to why .
Grosjean escaped the ‘big one’ in Bahrain, said Gene Haas
Haas said, “He had asked if we would be willing to sponsor him in IndyCar, and I think at the beginning I was pretty open to it. But then when he crashed in Bahrain, I was just so happy he didn’t kill himself.”
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IndyCar through my eyes!@IndyCar @DaleCoyneRacing @RickWareRacing @HondaRacing_HPD @BarberMotorPark
➡️ https://t.co/QEQovsw9Bw— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) February 25, 2021
The fiery crash saw his Haas VF-20 split into two pieces across the barrier railing, but Grosjean successfully made it back towards the medical car. Undoubtedly, the sight was a horrific one for drivers, teams and viewers to witness.
“I don’t know… he has a wife and three kids, and I just told him I couldn’t see giving him money to go out and kill himself. I just felt like he needs to stay home and take care of his family. He escaped the big one there.”
The Frenchman has had an eventful F1 career
“I just could not fathom having to face a widow or his kids. I just couldn’t do that. So I said ‘Nah, stay home, I can’t help you there anymore,” concluded Haas.
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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 prepares to drive in the garage during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
It was a shame that the 34-year-old could not complete his final couple of races in an F1 car. A campaigner of 179 F1 race starts, Grosjean achieved 10 podiums across teams like Renault, Lotus and Haas.
He now goes forward to try out a fresh challenge in IndyCar that is set to get underway in April. Regardless, he will only emerge as a much more mentally strong driver in the next stage of his career, irrespective of the results.
MORE – Romain Grosjean Admits F1 Crash Still Hurting Him Amid IndyCar Testing
