Romain Grosjean on the mend in hospital while Pietro Fittipaldi is ready for his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi

Formula One driver Romain Grosjean remains in hospital after being treated for burns on his hands after his horror crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Haas driver was lucky to escape with his life after his car split in two and caught fire after colliding with the barrier at over 130mph. The impact was measured at a huge 53G and was further evidence that the implementation of the halo was a certainly a lifesaving one.

Grosjean was sat in the flames for over 20 seconds before he managed to pull himself out of the wreckage and get to safety. Later on, from his hospital bed with his hands thoroughly bandaged, he posted a video on his Instagram reassuring fans he was on the road to recovery.

Grosjean said: “Hello everyone, just wanted to say I am okay, well sort of okay. Thanks for all of the messages.

“I wasn’t for the halo some years ago, but I think it’s the greatest thing brought to Formula One and without it I wouldn’t be able to speak to you today.”

With Grosjean understandably unable to race at this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix, he will be replaced by Haas’s reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi.

Fittipaldi is set to make his F1 debut after being a reserve driver for Haas for two years. The 24-year-old is the grandson of the two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi and will get his first taste of a 2020 F1 car in Friday’s practice session.

In a statement on Haas’s website, the Brazilian driver admitted he is relishing this great opportunity.

“Most importantly I’m happy Romain is safe and healthy, we’re all very happy his injuries are relatively minor after such a huge incident. 

“Obviously, it’s not an ideal set of circumstances to get my first opportunity to compete in Formula 1, but I’m extremely grateful to Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for their faith in putting me behind the wheel this weekend. 

“I’ve been with the team a lot this season, both trackside and working on simulator sessions, so I’m familiar with the team’s operating procedures on a grand prix weekend. 

“It’s going to be exciting to make my first career start in Formula 1, I’ll be giving it my all and I look forward to starting in free practice on Friday in Bahrain.”

With Grosjean out of this weekend’s race, it looks like the Abu Dhabi GP will be the Frenchman’s his last ever outing in Formula One, providing he recovers in time. 

By Liam Davies