The remnants of Romain Grosjean’s 2020 Haas car that survived a fireball crash in Bahrain will go on display next month as part of an upcoming Formula 1 exhibition.
Lucky fans in Madrid will be able to take a look at what is left of the car that hurtled into the barriers at the Sakhir Circuit and burst into flames.
Romain Grosjean found his way through the blaze to safety in what has been labelled a miraculous escape after his VF-20, which was carrying a full fuel load, crashed on the opening lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The French driver’s last recorded speed – before the onboard technology was ruined and communication with the pits terminated by the flames – was 220 km/h.
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The remains of the chassis, which was torn in half on impact, has been kept away from prying eyes for three years, but now will be showcased in a dedicated room that will don the name, ‘survival,’ and will also reveal unseen footage of the crash which broadcasters were forbidden to show.
Speaking about the crash that could have ended his life, but left him with scars for life, Grosjean said: “The chassis is still in one piece, the halo is there and apart from the damage and burn it is still as it should be. I guess that saved my life”.
The exhibition will open to the public on March 24, with tickets on sale now. It will give spectators of the sport a chance to look at the past, present, and future of the sport.
“From my point of view, it was a big accident but I didn’t realise the impact or how violent it was from the outside,” Grosjean added.
“It was only the next day when I asked someone to show me what it looked like that I realised.
“My wife was actually watching that race with my dad and my kids. They will remember that moment their entire life. They were just spectators waiting to hear something… waiting to see something from Bahrain.
“I had to break the headrest, punching it with my helmet and then I eventually managed to get my helmet through and stand up in the seat.
“I realised my left foot was stuck into the chassis and I pulled as hard as I could on my left leg. My shoe stayed in the chassis but my foot came loose so I was free to exit the car.
“It was 120kg of fuel plus the battery – both were on fire. Dr Ian Roberts, Alan [van der Merwe] from the medical car and one fireman were trying to open a gap in the fire to help me get out.
“I believe that helped me at least to get a vision of where I had to go and where the exit was.”
