French driver set to reunite with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team for one-off TPC outing at iconic Italian circuit.

Romain Grosjean will make an emotional and long-awaited return to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car this Friday, September 26, as he takes part in a special Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello.

Nearly five years after his dramatic and career-altering crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, the 39-year-old Frenchman is set to climb back into Haas machinery — this time the VF-23 — at the very circuit where he made one of his final Formula 1 starts. Grosjean’s return marks his first F1 drive since the horrific 67G crash that ended his F1 career, but not his legacy.

A Fitting Reunion

Having raced for the Haas F1 Team from its inaugural 2016 season through to 2020, Grosjean made 98 starts with the American outfit, helping establish the team’s early competitiveness in the sport. His return for the TPC test comes with emotional and symbolic weight, not just for Grosjean, but for the team that stood by him during the most defining moments of his career.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Gene Haas and to Ayao Komatsu for inviting me to participate in the TPC at Mugello,” said Grosjean. “To say I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car would naturally be an understatement. I really can’t believe it’s been almost five years, but to come back and have this outing with my old team is truly something special.”

Adding a personal touch to the event, Grosjean will wear the helmet his children designed for what was meant to be his final race in Abu Dhabi — a moment that never came due to his 2020 crash.

Familiar Faces in Familiar Roles

Making the event even more special is the presence of several of Grosjean’s former crew members, many of whom have stayed with Haas and now support its TPC and heritage programs. Among them is Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, who served as Grosjean’s race engineer during his podium-scoring days at Lotus and later followed him to Haas as Chief Race Engineer in 2016. He will resume his role as Grosjean’s engineer for the day.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Romain Grosjean back into a Formula 1 car for the first time in five years,” said Komatsu. “Romain and I have worked together throughout his entire Formula 1 career so this test at Mugello is of particular significance to us both.”

Also in attendance will be former race engineer Dominic Haines, now Heritage Chief Engineer, and Ian Staniforth, Grosjean’s longtime No.1 mechanic, now serving as Race Team Support Chief Mechanic.

Mugello: The Scenic Stage

The Mugello circuit, nestled in the Tuscan hills, hosted its first and only Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2020 — a race where Grosjean finished 12th. Known for its fast, flowing corners and technical demands, the 15-turn track will provide a challenging but fitting venue for Grosjean’s F1 return.

A Day of Nostalgia and New Experiences

The TPC event will also feature Canadian driver and former IndyCar star James Hinchcliffe. The 38-year-old, now a broadcaster with F1TV, will make his Formula 1 debut by testing the VF-23 as part of a feature for the sport’s official television coverage. His segment is set to air during the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend.

Haas Looks Ahead as It Honors Its Past

Now in its 10th season, the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team continues to build on its American motorsport legacy, maintaining technical partnerships with Scuderia Ferrari and Toyota GAZOO Racing, and expanding into NASCAR through the Haas Factory Team for 2025.

This one-off test underscores Haas’s commitment to honoring its history while embracing new development opportunities. The TPC program plays a critical role in ongoing driver development and performance benchmarking — and for Grosjean, it’s a chance to reconnect with the sport and team he helped shape.

“I’m excited to see everyone,” Grosjean added. “I’m sure we’ll spend a bit of time reminiscing about the old days, but I’m also keen to be of use regarding the trackside agenda with the VF-23. It should be a great day — emotional, but unforgettable.”