Romain Grosjean facing June wait to know if left hand is fully mobile

Romain Grosjean

Grosjean facing June wait to know if left hand is fully mobile

Grosjean will complete a part-season IndyCar programme this year

Ewan Gale

Friday 5 February 2021 18:04

Romain Grosjean will not know whether he will have full mobility in his left hand until June.

Grosjean suffered burns in a horrific accident at last season's Bahrain Grand Prix, but will take part in IndyCar this year, driving a part-season for the 'Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing' entry.

Despite the fact the season will be getting underway in April, Grosjean revealed he will not know the lasting effects of his crash until the end of what will be a six-month period.

“The left hand is the one that is the most damaged," he said, giving an update on his recovery.

"The right is good. Left, the skin is here, there isn’t anywhere… it is 98 per cent fully recovered on the surface.

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"It is still a very pink, new-type skin and I have got a lot of exercises in the day and mobility to get it working.

"I had the left thumb ligament that was also pulled away so I had to get surgery on it but it is quite stable. So I am also focusing on rehab and getting it to work and the mobility on it.

"Until you reach six months, it is difficult to know if you are going to lose mobility or not. Some days are going good, some days are more complicated, more painful and difficult.

"But I have stopped the painkillers some time ago and I just don’t want to get back on it, even though some days are painful. Particularly for me, it was a good step getting off the painkillers. I mean, it is going in the right direction."

With the bandages removed from the affected areas, Grosjean is gearing up for his first tests with his new team.

With his hands still sensitive during the recovery phase, however, Grosjean stated how he will cope with having to avoid aggravation when returning to a race car.

"It is still not pretty but I can pretty much use my hands," he explained. "I just need to be careful with the cold weather, which I am not doing good with.

"Putting on my racing gloves, I am waiting for maybe another week but I should be alright.”

With a smile, Grosjean added: "The sun as well, so whenever I go and drink from a coconut on the beach in Miami, I need to be careful to put some cream on my hand but if not, it should be okay."