F1

FORMULA ONE bosses have started their investigation into the horrifying crash that almost killed Romain Grosjean.
The Swiss-born star escaped a fiery smash in Bahrain with just burns to his hands thanks to F1’s safety measures and the quick work of the medical team and marshals.

F1 bosses have launched an investigation into Grosjean’s horror crashCredit: Splash News

Grosjean gave fans a second positive update from his hospital room on MondayCredit: Instagram

However, the sport’s governing body will now forensically analyse Grosjean’s Haas and study the data on his car to identify what caused the crash and how it can be prevented in future.
FIA chiefs will also double-check the safety of the Bahrain track which will host its second race this weekend, albeit on a new layout – a quicker oval track.
Race Director Michael Masi said: “The guys at the Bahrain International Circuit did an amazing job. Credit where credit’s due…
“From all facets of that incident response be it marshals, fire marshals, our amazing medical team Alan van der Merwe and Dr Ian Roberts, the management from a race control perspective…

“It’s not just one little piece, it’s everyone working together. So it’s a credit to everyone involved.
“With every incident, but more so with every major incident, the FIA safety department leads the investigation.
“The single seater department, of which F1 is a part from a technical perspective, has an involvement.
“The F1 teams and the technical directors will be involved. The circuits commission will be involved [on] circuit safety.

Grosjean’s Haas was torn into two pieces after the horrific crashCredit: The Mega Agency

“All of the various parts of the FIA group as a whole and all the respective subject matter experts really will review this particular area and see what can be learnt, what can be improved.
“It’s a credit to the safety systems that we have as a whole and our entire safety package and the way the FIA has been working through it all over many, many years, that Romain came out relatively — all things considered — unscathed.”
F1’s managing director, Ross Brawn said that he was shocked to see the car burst into flames and wants to uncover just how Grosjean’s Haas split in two.
He added: “Seeing Romain jump out of the car was a massive relief.
“The FIA, working with the team, have to understand the dynamics of what happened in the accident to see if improvements are possible.
“It was a pretty severe impact and there are limits as to what you’d be able to contain or control.
“But penetrating the barrier like that has to be understood.
“It also has to be understood why there was a fire and why the car broke in two.
“These are the things that the FIA will now take the time to analyse and work out what can be done better.”
Meanwhile, Grosjean will NOT return to the track at this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after Haas called-up Brazilian youngster Pietro Fittipaldi.
Elsewhere, Sebastian Vettel slammed Bahrain’s guardrails after Grosjean’s death-defying crash.

Romain Grosjean’s helmet visor MELTED in fireball Bahrain GP crash, reveals hero doctor who saved F1 star More

SEABASTIAN VETTEL has slammed the guardrails at the Bahrain Grand Prix for failing to protect Romain Grosjean during the Swiss star’s terrifying crash.
Grosjean was taken to hospital after his car smashed through a barrier at 140mph – at a G-force of 53G.

Grosjean’s car burst into flames after it smashed through a guardrail in BahrainCredit: AP

Vettel has criticised the guardrail after it not only failed to protect Grosjean but also put him in even more dangerCredit: Rex Features

The car was sliced into two pieces and burst into flames – with Grosjean trapped in the flaming vehicle for 20 seconds.
The Haas racer’s life was saved only by his halo device and – despite his helmet MELTING – escaped with only burns to his hands.
Grosjean is now recovering in hospital after sharing a positive update with his fans on social media.
But Haas have confirmed he will NOT race at the Sakhir GP despite suggestions he might be ready, with Pietro Fittipaldi taking his seat.

Now, Vettel has criticised the guardrail – designed to prevent cars from further danger following an accident – after it almost killed Grosjean.
Vettel told Sky Sports: “I haven’t looked at the images a lot as I didn’t want to, but the main thing is he got out.
“Obviously the guardrail is not supposed to fail like that.
“I mean it’s good the cars are safer than they used to be in the past.

Grosjean reassured fans he is feeling fine despite burns to his handsCredit: Instagram

Grosjean’s car split in two after his horrifying crash in BahrainCredit: The Mega Agency

“But the guardrail shouldn’t fail and the car shouldn’t catch fire in that fashion.
“I don’t know what happened there.
“I think it’s difficult to say at this stage but the main thing is obviously that he got out.”
F1 boss Ross Brawn said he ‘clearly did not want to see’ the barrier break as it did and promised a ‘deep investigation’.
Brawn said: “It’s shocking for everyone in F1 to see an accident of that severity.
“We’re not used to that, fire being involved as well.
“But I think it’s a tribute to the work that the FIA and the teams have done over the years.
“I think we remember the controversy of the halo when it was introduced.
“And I have to give credit to Jean Todt, because he insisted that it should come through.
“And I think today, we might be looking at a different situation that we didn’t have the halo.
“And for me, that’s what prised, and managed to keep the barrier apart, when the car went through it.
“But I’m sure we’ll have a deep investigation to understand what we can learn from it.
“Because seeing a barrier split like that is clearly not what we want to see.”

Romain Grosjean thanks fans for their support from his hospital bed and says he is sort of okay More

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.” More

ROMAIN GROSJEAN’S helmet visor melted as he was engulfed in a fireball after the crash, revealed hero FIA doctor Ian Roberts.
The Haas driver’s car split in half and burst into flames after he smashed into a barrier at the Bahrain GP on Sunday.

The French Formula 1 star crashed into the barrier at high speedCredit: Splash News

Dr Ian Roberts helped to get the Frenchman to the medical car after the crashCredit: Universal News & Sport (Scotland)

Grosjean was trapped for 20 seconds in the burning wreck on lap one before he emerged from the cockpit.
Roberts – who helped free him from the wreckage – revealed that the 34-year-old’s helmet visor had melted during that time.
As cited by GpFans, he said: “He was very shaky and his visor was completely opaque and melted.
“I had to get his helmet off just to check everything was okay.

“He had some pain on his foot and hands so from that point we knew it was safe enough to move him into the [medical car], a bit more protection, get some gel on his burns then get him into the ambulance and off to the medical centre.”
Grosjean has since shared a photograph of himself smiling from his hospital bed.
He remained in hospital in Bahrain overnight as he received treatment for burns on both of his hands.
Lewis Hamilton said the Frenchman was lucky his head was not cut off by the barriers while 1996 champ Damon Hill said ‘it is a miracle he is alive’.

Romain Grosjean shared an image of himself smiling from his hospital bed after his horror crash in BahrainCredit: Instagram

Romain Grosjean was rushed to hospital after the horror crash on SundayCredit: Reuters

The Haas driver’s car split in half as he hit the crash barrier Credit: AFP

Robert appeared on Good Morning Britain on Monday morning to discuss the crash with Piers Morgan and co-host Susanna Reid.
He said: “When we arrived, you can see on the video there that there is a huge gap in the barrier.
“We could see romain through that with flame all around he was struggling to get himself up and out it was a matter of how do we get to him.
“The extinguisher pushed the flames back so we could give him a hand to get out.”
Roberts claimed that using a fire extinguisher helped to free Grosjean from the burning wreckage.
Giving his account of what happened, Roberts continued: “First lap, following them around as normal.
“There was a massive flame and we arrived to a very odd scene where you’ve got half a car pointing in the wrong direction and just across the barrier a mass of heat.
“Then looking to the right at that point, I could see Romain trying to get up.

Romain Grosjean’s car pierced through a crash barrier at 140mphCredit: Reuters

The Formula 1 car burst into flames after the crash during the first lap Credit: Reuters
“We needed some way of getting to him, so we got the marshal there with the extinguisher.
“The extinguisher was just enough to push the flame away as Romain got high enough, so I could reach over and pull him over the barrier.”
Daniel Ricciardo has since blasted TV directors for showing continuous replays of the horrific crash.

Romain Grosjean miraculously walked away from the accident Credit: AFP

Grosjean’s Haas car bursts into flames at Bahrain Grand Prix More

DANIEL RICCIARDO has blasted TV directors for showing continuous replays of Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash on the world feed. The Haas driver miraculously walked away from an incredible crash that saw his car split in half and immediately burst into flames in Bahrain. Grosjean was airlifted to hospital with burns sustained to the back of […] More

LEWIS HAMILTON was first past the chequered flag yet again – in a Bahrain Grand Prix marred by Romain Grosjean’s terrifying crash. The Haas driver went off the track only seconds into the race having clipped Daniil Kvyat’s Alpha Tauri. Losing control of his car, Grosjean, 34, speared the crash barrier and miraculously walked away […] More