Romain Grosjean is set to make a remarkable return to Formula 1 by participating in a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session with his former team Haas at the Mugello circuit this Friday. This will mark Grosjean’s first time back in an F1 car since his dramatic crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix ended his racing career prematurely.
Grosjean’s career halted when he collided with the barrier at an impact of 67G, causing his car to explode into flames and trapping him inside for 28 seconds. The lifesaving features introduced in recent years, including the halo, helped him escape with burns confined to his hands. However, the injuries forced him out of the remaining rounds in the 2020 season. Now, nearly four years later, Grosjean will return behind the wheel, driving the 2023 Haas VF-23 as part of a TPC programme.
Understanding Testing of Previous Cars in Formula 1
The Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme offers an important solution to the stringent testing limits imposed on Formula 1 teams. Due to cost control and fairness measures, teams are restricted on how much they can test their current cars during the season. For example, in 2025, teams had only three days of official pre-season testing to prepare their new vehicles, with additional filming days limited to 200 kilometers on Pirelli show tires.
TPC alleviates these constraints by allowing teams to run cars that are at least two years old for up to 20 days annually. This enables teams to conduct valuable on-track work without breaching testing restrictions. For Grosjean’s test, Haas has nominated their 2023 VF-23 model, which was driven during a difficult season by Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen. Haas finished last in the championship that year with a total of twelve points, while Grosjean was competing in IndyCar.
Introduced formally into the sporting regulations during the 2010s, TPC testing is a routine part of Formula 1 team operations. All teams take advantage of these programmes to gain additional running time and data collection opportunities, which would otherwise be strictly limited under current rules.
Key Advantages of Conducting TPC Testing for Teams and Drivers
TPC sessions provide multiple benefits, especially as teams look to regain momentum after an off-season break. Drivers and team members can experience a drop in sharpness during downtime, so using TPC to return to car control and rebuild teamwork is crucial. These tests also give teams the chance to introduce new drivers to their crew and engineers, helping smooth transitions when lineups change.
This was evident when Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari for the 2025 season and took part in TPC testing with the SF-23 in January. Besides familiarizing himself with the car, Hamilton used the opportunity to bond with Ferrari’s technical staff and management, as well as connect with passionate fans ahead of actual races.
Beyond current full-time drivers, TPC tests serve as valuable experience for younger, academy drivers who aspire to race in Formula 1. Teams can evaluate these prospects in real track conditions, gaining insights not just into driver performance but also car behavior and specific circuits.
American manufacturer Cadillac is another case in point. Planning to enter Formula 1 in 2026, the team aims to conduct TPC testing despite not owning older cars. Team principal Graeme Lowdon revealed that Cadillac intends to collaborate with a rival, likely Ferrari, due to their use of Ferrari power units. Such cooperation is permitted but requires FIA approval.
Regulations and Limitations Surrounding TPC Sessions
Formula 1 governs TPC testing through Article 10.2 of its sporting regulations, laying out key restrictions. The car used must be at least two years old, and only a single car may run per test day. For example, Haas has designated the VF-23 for Grosjean’s upcoming session, so no other Haas car may be driven that day.
Tests must take place at FIA Grade 1 circuits, which are the same venues eligible to host Formula 1 races. However, teams cannot use tracks scheduled to hold a grand prix in the next 60 days, preventing any unfair advantage or data gathering ahead of imminent races.
Another rule addresses the involvement of third parties in testing programs. While collaborations like Cadillac’s planned partnership with Ferrari are possible, the FIA must explicitly approve these arrangements. This ensures transparency and compliance with sporting standards.
Teams are limited to 20 TPC days per year, but only four of those can include current full-time drivers. Moreover, the total running distance for these tests cannot exceed 1,000 kilometers. These measures, introduced for 2025, aim to curb excessive track time under pretense of testing, a reaction partly triggered by Max Verstappen’s extensive Imola test in a two-year-old Red Bull car, which raised questions about covert development work. Similarly, McLaren’s intensive TPC programs had attracted scrutiny.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, half of the F1 grid plans to switch power unit suppliers due to new regulations. This situation complicated arrangements for TPC testing, as teams using power units from former suppliers must ensure access to current engines for older cars during testing. The FIA has mandated availability of these units for the next two seasons, but budget restrictions do not apply. Consequently, suppliers can set pricing freely, potentially increasing costs. Since TPC testing is excluded from the overall team budget caps, these expenses won’t affect teams’ development budgets.
The Significance of Grosjean’s Return and the Future of TPC in F1
Romain Grosjean stepping back into an F1 car for the first time since his harrowing Bahrain accident symbolizes resilience and the evolution of safety and regulations within the sport. His involvement in the TPC test at Mugello will offer him a rare chance to reconnect with Formula 1 machinery and teammates, while also providing Haas with valuable running data from a driver with extensive experience.
The TPC system itself remains a crucial part of Formula 1’s testing framework. It balances the need for teams to gain track time and develop their cars without driving up costs or compromising competitive fairness. With increasing complexity in power unit regulations and supplier changes on the horizon, how FIA and teams adapt TPC protocols will shape off-season preparations for years to come.
For Grosjean, the test is not just a technical exercise but a moment of personal triumph and a reminder of his place in the sport’s challenging and unpredictable world.
