ROMAIN GROSJEAN will NOT return to the track at this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after Haas called-up Brazilian youngster Pietro Fittipaldi.
The Swiss racer, 34, was taken to hospital after his car pierced through a crash barrier at 140mph, was sliced in two and burst into a terrifying fireball at the Bahrain GP.
Grosjean’s car exploded in a horror fireball at Bahrain – but the racer could return in a matter of daysCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Grosjean gave a positive updated on social media after going to hospitalCredit: Instagram
Grosjean’s life was only saved by his halo device, and – despite being trapped in the fire for 20 seconds and his helmet MELTING – escaped with only burns on his hands.
On Sunday night, Grosjean shared an update on his health with his social media followers.
He wrote: “I wanted to say I am OK. Thank you very much for all the messages.
“I was not for the halo some years ago but I think it is the greatest thing we have done in Formula One and without it I would not be able to speak to you today.
“Thanks to all the medical staff at the circuit and hospital and hopefully I can write you some messages.”
Grosjean will now spend another night in hospital in Bahrain to receive further treatment and his condition monitored as the impact was recorded with a G-force measured at 53G.
A statement said: “Haas F1 Team driver Romain Grosjean is continuing his convalescence at the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) hospital having remained there overnight following Sunday’s incident at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“Treatment on the burns Grosjean sustained on the back of both his hands is going well.
Grosjean’s Haas was ripped into two pieces after the horror crashCredit: The Mega Agency
Haas boss Steiner has revealed Grosjean could race this weekendCredit: Splash News
“Grosjean was visited by Guenther Steiner, team principal of Haas F1 Team, on Monday and it is anticipated he will be discharged from the care of the hospital on Tuesday 1st December.”
Later on Monday, Haas later confirmed they had called-up Fittipaldi, 24, to take Grosjean’s place after Steiner met with the Swiss ace.
Ahead of his hospital visit, Haas chief Steiner had suggested Grosjean could be behind the wheel in Sakhir, Bahrain, THIS weekend.
Asked if Grosjean would race, Steiner said: “That is his decision.
“I will not let him interfere with that one. He needs to make that one up for himself. I follow his guidance there.
“I don’t know how he is tomorrow when the bruises come through and maybe he thinks a little bit more about it.
“I don’t know what someone is thinking after a thing like this.
“I don’t want to start to speculate who is going to replace him, and we don’t know if somebody is going to replace him or not.
“That is the reason why I want to give him a little bit of time to think about it, to give us feedback on what he wants to do, and we go from there.”
F1 doctor Ian Roberts describes Romain Grosjean’s injuries sustained in fireball Bahrain GP crash
Steiner continued: “My plan is to go and see him [on Monday], see what is really happening.
“I didn’t go [to the hospital on Sunday], I just spoke on the telephone with him because we had a lot of stuff to sort out here.
“I will go there tomorrow morning to speak with him and see what the doctors have got to say and go from there.
“For sure we have always got a plan in place but at the moment my plan would be, if he is OK, to get [him] back in there in the race in Bahrain next weekend, but we have to wait until [Monday].”
Steiner also paid tribute to the advancement in F1 safety technology and the medical car for saving Grosjean’s life.
He added: “It was luck and I think a lot of people did the right thing in the circumstance, starting with him how he got out of the car.
“I was told that if you watch the video there is a video of the backwards-facing camera which shows how he gets out.
“So I was very impressed with the medical car, too, how quick they intervened and helped him out and also the marshals who came with the fire extinguisher, how quick they were there.
“It was quite impressive.
“I mean, the system obviously worked today. This is just to say a big thank you to these guys.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
