Romain Grosjean, the French racing driver, has reconnected with the helmet he wore during the fiery accident that dramatically closed his Formula 1 chapter at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. This emotional Romain Grosjean crash helmet reunion highlights his gratitude towards the equipment and teams that safeguarded him on that critical night.
A Closer Look at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix Accident
During the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit, Romain Grosjean was involved in a terrifying incident that would mark the end of his F1 career. The crash unfolded when Grosjean’s Haas collided with Daniil Kvyat‘s AlphaTauri on the exit of Turn 3, sending his car careening into the barriers. The impact split the car in two, causing the front half to pierce the barriers and ignite in flames with Grosjean still trapped inside.
Miraculously, Grosjean managed to extract himself from the burning wreck, suffering second-degree burns to his hands but spared from even more severe injuries, thanks to the Halo device. His abrupt exit from Formula 1 had already been decided prior to the crash, with Haas announcing the end of his tenure. After this incident, Grosjean shifted his racing focus to the IndyCar Series and also competed as a Lamborghini works driver in the IMSA championship.
Reflecting on the Past: Grosjean’s Emotional Reconnection
Over five years since that fateful night, Romain Grosjean recently shared a photo reuniting with the helmet that protected him during the accident, accompanied by a message acknowledging the vital role played by his safety gear’s creators.
“5 years after November 29 2020, I got reunited with my race helmet. I didn’t know if I was ready to see it, but my kids really wanted to understand how I got so well protected in the fire and what did happen that night.”
— Romain Grosjean, Driver
“I’ll forever be grateful to Bell Racing [helmet manufacturer] and Alpine Stars [protective clothing] for protecting me so well in that moment. Life goes and we forget, but that reminds me how much we should make the most of our lives every day.”
— Romain Grosjean, Driver
This heartfelt moment underscores Grosjean’s lasting appreciation for the helmet produced by Bell Racing and the protective clothing from Alpine Stars, which played key roles in minimizing his injuries and ultimately saving his life.
Return to Formula 1 and Beyond
After officially leaving Formula 1, Grosjean returned to the cockpit in a symbolic drive for Haas during a testing event at the Mugello Circuit in Italy in September 2025, piloting the VF-23 car as part of a previous car testing program. He had previously been scheduled to drive a Mercedes at Paul Ricard Circuit in 2021, but travel restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the event from happening.
Addressing the missed opportunity, Grosjean said on the F1 Nation podcast,
“We have [spoken to Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal] and I’m going to be honest it’s on my side, it’s my fault. I just haven’t found the time recently to do that and to plan it properly.”
— Romain Grosjean, Driver
“I think we had everything set up in 2021, but Covid didn’t really help. Actually, right behind me is the helmet ready for the test with the Mercedes logo on it. I have everything ready, we just haven’t found a date. It’s been pretty busy in the US.”
— Romain Grosjean, Driver
Despite the delays, the possibility of a Mercedes test remains open, with Grosjean expressing that the required preparations are ready, though a date is yet to be arranged due to his schedule in the United States.
Current Racing Endeavors and Continuing the Legacy
Grosjean’s post-Formula 1 career continues to be eventful. He is set to compete at the Daytona 24 Hours at the end of January, driving a Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 in the GTD class. Alongside his time in the IMSA championship with Lamborghini, Grosjean has maintained an active presence in various high-level racing events.
The Romain Grosjean crash helmet reunion serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of advancements in motorsport safety, as well as the personal resolve and gratitude of drivers who endure such risks. As he prepares for the next stage of his racing journey, Grosjean’s experience inspires ongoing discussions about safety in motorsports and highlights the strong bonds between drivers, their families, manufacturers like Bell Racing and Alpine Stars, and the organizations committed to keeping them safe.
