Romain Grosjean determined to end F1 career in Abu Dhabi despite burns

Haas

Grosjean determined to end F1 career in Abu Dhabi despite burns

The French driver sits out this weekend's second race in Bahrain

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 1 December 2020 11:37

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has confirmed Romain Grosjean wants to finish his Formula 1 career in Abu Dhabi despite the burns he has suffered to his hands in the wake of his fireball crash in Bahrain.

Grosjean is to spend another night in the Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services Military Hospital given its "safer environment" to aid with his healing, even though it was hoped he would be released on Tuesday.

While Steiner has revealed Grosjean could not have raced this weekend in the Sakhir Grand Prix due to the severity of the burns, which has led to a call up for Pietro Fittipaldi, the Frenchman is targeting a return for the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi.

Article continues under video

That would serve as Grosjean's farewell to F1 as he does not have a drive for next season after Haas confirmed earlier this year his services would not be retained.

"Romain would like to do it [drive in Abu Dhabi]," said Steiner. "I spoke with him yesterday, he really wants to be in Abu Dhabi.

"I said to him 'Try to get better and we will speak on Monday [next week] about how you feel, if it's doable'. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.

"At the moment we have got plenty of time. Pietro is here, Romain is here. We just need to see how he feels. I'm not in a hurry to decide now. It depends on his health."

Asked whether mentally Grosjean was keen to get back in the car in Abu Dhabi, Steiner replied: "Yes, absolutely. That is his aim now, to heal up and he wants to do Abu Dhabi.

"Yesterday he was mentally very stable, very good about it. The guys today have said he is very good. He is just trying to get better to be in the car in Abu Dhabi. That shows he wants to keep on doing it."

Steiner has insisted that Grosjean staying in hospital another night does not constitute a setback.

"I spoke with one of his guys and they've done something on the burns," added Steiner. "I don't know exactly what. He is staying another night in the hospital, but that's nothing to be pre-occupied with. It's a safer environment.

"Everything is going good. The doctors are very happy. There are no setbacks or nothing, so staying another night doesn't mean there is a setback or a problem. It's just safer to stay another night longer to help him heal quicker."

Steiner has further revealed that while Grosjean can recall his extraction from the burning wreckage of his car, he does not know what caused the accident.

That was as a result of Grosjean swerving sharply to his right out of turn three on the opening lap and catching the left-front wheel of Daniil Kvyat's AlphaTauri before spearing into a retaining barrier at over 130mph and with an impact of 53g.

"He remembers how he got out," said Steiner. "He explained that very well. What he asked me is how he ended up there. I told him 'You ran over Kvyat's car, the front wheel which turned you around and put you in the wall'.

"I don't want to put words in his mouth and say he doesn't remember. I think he didn't realise what he did. I wouldn't say he lost his memory of it. I think it went so quick he cannot remember it."

As to whether Grosjean has watched replays since the accident, Steiner said: "I don't think he's looked a lot at it, but again I don't want to go there asking him because that's his decision. I didn't want to put him in that awkward position."

Grosjean's latest post on his Instagram account this morning shows him out of bed doing body squats, and with bandages around his left knee and ankle, as well as both hands.

The message reads: "Never thought that a few bodyweight squats would make me happy. Body recovering well from the impact. Hopefully same about the burns on my hands. Thank you again to everyone for the messages. Ps: still very slow at typing."