Stalling plans have cast doubt over whether the farewell Formula 1 test drive that Mercedes promised Romain Grosjean will take place, but team chief Toto Wolff insists it will go ahead.
Mercedes offered Grosjean a test drive as a farewell to Formula 1 in the wake of the Frenchman’s horrific fireball crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix in December 2020, as it didn’t want his final experience in the sport to be a harrowing incident.
The original plan was for Grosjean to drive a Mercedes at the 2021 French Grand Prix, held in June, but travel and quarantine restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t allow it.
READ MORE: Fears over iconic F1 GP binned amid US surge
READ MORE: Baffled Titans coach questions suspect Manly try
READ MORE: All Blacks star’s explosive accusation after loss
Setting a new date has also proved difficult, largely because Grosjean is competing in IndyCar, and Formula 1 has stringent limits on mid-season testing.
The former Haas driver renewed the public’s interest in the touted drive when he posted a video on YouTube, in which he showed a Mercedes helmet that had been stored away for when his time in the car arrived.
“Everyone is asking about the Mercedes test,” Grosjean said as he revealed the helmet.
“Well, there is the helmet.
“The test hasn’t happened yet, but we’ve got a helmet ready for it.”
When asked about the test on the back of Grosjean’s YouTube video, Mercedes boss Wolff stressed that it hadn’t been forgotten.
“The test is going to happen, for sure,” Wolff said.
“We’ve committed to it. (We are seeing) what we can do and what he can do. But that is going to happen. When I give my word, I give my word.”
Grosjean crashed just seconds after the start of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix when he lost control at 241km/h and hit the barrier at 192km/h, subjecting him to deceleration forces 67 times his body weight.
The middle rail of the barrier failed as Grosjean’s car snapped into two pieces.
The massive fireball was caused by the fuel tank inspection hatch and engine fuel supply connection becoming detached.
The rest of the field and the entire Formula 1 world watched on in agony, but a collective sigh of relief was breathed when he emerged from the scene alive.
Grosjean, now 35, escaped with burns to his hands and feet.
He hasn’t raced in Formula 1 since.
Grosjean is racing with Andretti Autosport in IndyCar and is placed sixth in the standings after the opening three rounds of the season.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!