Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Romain Grosjean speaks about horrifying Bahrain GP accident and his escape

"My F1 career can't end like this. I told myself that I had to get out of there for my kids," says Grosjean in interview from hospital with French television; Frenchman not ruling out racing return for next week's Abu Dhabi GP in what was set to be his final F1 outing with no seat for 2021

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 02/12/20 7:26am

Warning: Video shows Haas driver Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after a first-lap crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Warning: Video shows Haas driver Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after a first-lap crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Warning: Video shows Haas driver Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after a first-lap crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Romain Grosjean has spoken about how he "saw death coming" as he recalled the trauma of his frightening fiery accident and miracle escape in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Grosjean continues his recovery in hospital in Bahrain, where he will spend a third night amid treatment for burns to the back of both of his hands.

He is expecting to be discharged on Wednesday.

"Getting better and better. Obviously a few parts a bit painful but it's ok," said the Haas driver in a video posted from hospital on social media. "After what happened, I guess the pain is not too bad. I'm happy to be alive and to talk to you."

Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options

The French driver will miss this weekend's second race in Bahrain but is not ruling out a return for the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP next week to ensure that the accident "isn't the way I finish my F1 career".

The season finale was already scheduled to be his last race for Haas and, most likely, in F1 altogether after 10 seasons with no contract for 2021.

Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options

That Grosjean escaped Sunday's crash with relatively minor injuries proved miraculous given the scale and force of the accident. His Haas car was split in two by its high-speed 53G impact with the barriers and the wreckage he was sitting in burst into flames.

In his first interview from hospital with France's TF1, Grosjean said: "I don't know if the word 'miracle' exists or if we can use it, but in any case, it wasn't my time [to go].

  • Martin Brundle: Explaining Grosjean's Great Escape
  • Injured Romain Grosjean to miss Sakhir GP after fireball crash
  • The human stories behind Romain Grosjean's accident
  • How the world reaction to Grosjean's 'miracle' escape

"It felt to me like it lasted much longer than 28 seconds.

"I saw that my whole visor was orange and there were flames to the left of the car. I was thinking about many things, particularly Niki Lauda [who suffered severe burns in an accident at the 1976 German GP], and I didn't want to end up like him.

"I said to myself, "My F1 career can't end like this. I told myself that I had to get out of there for my kids."

Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options

Grosjean is a father of three and the 34-year-old's wife, Marion, posted a heartfelt message on Monday on social media in which she said they were describing him as "superhero" as they "explained the inexplicable" to their young children.

"I was more scared for my immediate family, my children first of all," said the Frenchman. "Because they're my biggest source of pride and energy, than for myself.

"I think there'll be some psychological work to do because I saw death coming.

Warning: Video shows Haas driver Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after a first-lap crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Warning: Video shows Haas driver Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after a first-lap crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Warning: Video shows Haas driver Romain Grosjean walking away from an inferno after a first-lap crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"I don't think they'd be able to do anything quite like that even in Hollywood.

Also See:

  • Martin Brundle: Grosjean's Great Escape
  • Grosjean's wife on 'superhero' husband

"It's the biggest crash I've seen in my life with the car catching fire and exploding. The battery also caught fire, adding so much energy to the impact."

Grosjean, who spent almost half a minute trapped in the flames, said: "It was almost like a rebirth and coming out of the flames that day is something that will mark my life forever."

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Tuchel 'big admirer' of Ronaldo | Neymar move a 'long shot'
  • 2
    Papers: Ronaldo to join Messi at PSG?
  • 3
    Chelsea concentrating on Sterling, Raphinha | Ronaldo, Neymar discussed
  • 4
    News: Premier League footballer arrested on suspicion of rape
  • 5
    Root and Bairstow put England on cusp of famous victory
  • 6
    Eriksen agrees in principle to join Man Utd
  • 7
    The Ronaldo problem Man Utd could have done without
  • 8
    Man Utd transfer rumours: Initial transfer fee for De Jong agreed
  • 9
    British GP: Winners and losers from a wild weekend
  • 10
    Incredible comeback takes Eriksen to key role at Man Utd
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK