While some drivers, like Max Verstappen (Red Bull), were racing this weekend, the rest of the grid has been on a break since Baku. With no live action to cover, it’s the perfect time to revisit one of Formula 1’s most unforgettable moments: Bahrain 2020.
If you’re new to motorsport, you might not know the story of former Haas driver Romain Grosjean. Like many newer fans, I first learned about him through Haas’ struggles on Drive to Survive but his name carries a weight far beyond the Netflix series — he’s remembered as “the man who walked out of fire” and “the phoenix.”
These nicknames were from the tragic events that occurred in Bahrain. During a lap around the track, Grosjean’s car hit the barriers, split apart and almost immediately caught fire. Miraculously, he climbed out and survived, something he m
entioned as being difficult. He did so because he wanted to survive and return to his family.
Today, the remains of that car are preserved in a museum, and looking at the warped F1 car frame and charred metal is a chilling reminder of the crash. Against all odds, Grosjean escaped with burns to his hands and relatively minor injuries — thanks in large part to the halo and safety innovations introduced after fatal events, like Jules Bianchi in the 2010s.
In the aftermath, Grosjean stepped away from F1 to recover and later continued his career in other racing series. This week marked a powerful full-circle moment: Grosjean returned to F1, climbing back into a Haas car at a test session in Mugello. Driving the team’s 2023 VF-23, he wore a helmet his children had designed for what was supposed to be his farewell race in Abu Dhabi back in 2020.
For Grosjean, Haas, and fans across Formula 1, the sight of him back behind the wheel was more than a test run.