It has been announced that Romain Grosjean’s destroyed chassis from the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix will go on display in Madrid next month, as part of a Formula 1 Exhibition.
The former Formula 1 driver’s crash at Bahrain almost three years ago is arguably one of the most terrifying in the modern history of Formula 1, with the Frenchman having somehow escaped the fiery inferno.
The incident occurred on the exit of Turn Three on the opening lap of the race, with the former Haas driver having gone right suddenly before spearing into a metal barrier, resulting in an impact measured at 67G.
Grosjean’s car immediately became a fireball with him stuck inside, before managing to escape the horror after being in the blaze for 28 seconds.
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Grosjean’s car was to no shock completely destroyed; however, the halo noticeably remained perfectly intact, something which will be seen by those who attend the special room which will hold the car’s chassis, fitting named ‘Survival’.
It will be the first time that the chassis from his crash will be seen, with the IndyCar driver knowing that it was the remarkable halo which “saved my life”.
“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 recalled.
“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,” Grosjean explained.
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“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 120 kilos 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.
“The survival cell is there for you in case of a huge impact. I was intact inside the shell. 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.”