While it was another typical Sunday for most of us, F1 driver Romain Grosjean was busy fighting for his life in Bahrain. Passing turn 3 of the opening lap, his car took a deflection of Daniil Kvyat.

Going at a speed of 200km/H, his car hit the safety barriers head-on. Not only did it break into two pieces, but it also caught fire immediately. Miraculously, he could get out of the car alive.

What do we say to death? Not today.

Romain Grosjean describes his escape

Thankfully, the Frenchman is recovering well in a hospital in Bahrain. The crash was reminiscent of the late Niki Lauda‘s in 1976. Speaking for the first time since the crash from his hospitable bed, he said –

“I saw my visor all orange, the flames around me, and the accident of Niki Lauda came to mind. I didn’t want to end up like that; so I had to get out [of the cockpit], for my children.”

However, the fight for survival wasn’t so easy for the Haas driver. Seeing red and orange all around him, he could not get out of the cockpit in one attempt. Hovering for his life, he drew inspiration from his family, especially his children –

“I remained 28 seconds in the flames but it seemed much longer, as I tried to get out of the tub three times.

“In the end, my hands were burnt, and I had a big sprain, while I thought I had broken my foot. I was more afraid for my relatives, my children in the first place, but also my father and my mother. I was not really afraid for myself. I saw death coming; so I had no other option but to get out of there.”

Will Romain return in time for Abu Dhabi?

The Frenchman is already out for the next race, with reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi set to replace him at Sakhir GP. However, he wants to race again and finish the season, and possibly bring down the curtains on his career.

Though the 10-time podium winner won’t care much for his performance, “The Romain Grosjean before would never have said that. But, if I do Abu Dhabi, I will be happy even if I finish 20th. (laughs)”