Even years later, Haas team boss Komatsu still cannot comprehend how Romain Grosjean survived the 2020 Formula 1 accident in Bahrain.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu still vividly remembers Romain Grosjean’s serious accident at the 2020 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. Even years later, the Japanese man still finds it hard to comprehend that his driver at the time survived the accident.
Grosjean crashed heavily in the early stages of the race when his Haas collided with Daniil Kvyat and crashed into the track barrier at high speed, splitting in two. The cockpit was engulfed in a fireball. Grosjean was nevertheless able to free himself from the burning wreckage.
Komatsu, who took over as team principal at Haas for the 2024 season, worked closely with Grosjean for many years, including at Lotus and since Haas entered Formula 1 in 2016. Accordingly, he experienced the minutes after the accident at the pit wall with great emotion.
Seconds that felt like an eternity
“At first, I didn’t know it was Romain,” Komatsu said on the High Performance Podcast. “But the moment I realized it was him, I immediately thought he couldn’t be alive. He’s my friend. He’s my driver, but above all, he’s my friend.”
The time until the all-clear was given felt like an eternity. At first, he didn’t see that Grosjean had gotten out of the car. It was only via radio that the information came that the Frenchman was safe. “An engineer told me over the radio: No, Romain is out. Romain is out.”
Shortly afterwards, Komatsu was able to see his driver in the medical center. “He gave me a thumbs up. At that moment, I knew he was alive.” Nevertheless, even after seeing the TV images, he still couldn’t fully comprehend the accident. His teammate Kevin Magnussen also insisted on visiting Grosjean in hospital in person to see for himself how he was doing.
“The smell was the worst thing”
The vehicle’s survival compartment, which was destroyed in the crash, is now on display in the Formula 1 exhibition. Komatsu recalls the condition of the wreck after it was recovered. “The smell was the worst. Absolutely terrible. The burnt rubber smelled awful. When you see this tub, you can’t imagine anyone surviving that.”
Grosjean’s racing shoes were still in the cockpit. His left foot had become caught behind the pedal while trying to leave the car. To free himself, Grosjean had to gather his strength again, causing his foot to slip out of his shoe. As he finally got out, he braced himself with his left hand in the area of the burning halo and suffered burns.
Grosjean survived the accident with injuries to his hands, but was able to leave the vehicle under his own power. The accident, with a measured deceleration of 67g, is still considered one of the most serious in recent Formula 1 history and impressive proof of the safety advances made in the premier class.