Five Years On, Grosjean Reunites with Life-Saving Bahrain Helmet

Five years after his terrifying, fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean has been reunited with the helmet he wore that day. The reunion was prompted by his children, who wanted to understand how their father was so well protected. Grosjean used the moment to express profound gratitude to his safety equipment manufacturers and reflect on the fragility of life.

Why it matters:

Grosjean's survival was a watershed moment for Formula 1 safety, providing the ultimate real-world validation for the controversial Halo cockpit protection device. His ongoing journey as "The Phoenix" serves as a powerful human-interest story, reminding fans of the immense risks drivers take and the importance of continuous safety innovation in the sport.

The details:

• The Crash: On November 29, 2020, Grosjean's Haas car pierced a barrier after contact with Daniil Kvyat, splitting in two and erupting in a fireball. He escaped with only second-degree burns to his hands.
• The Reunion: Grosjean shared an image on Instagram holding the helmet, explaining his children were curious to see the gear that protected him in the fire.
• A Message of Thanks: He publicly thanked Bell Helmets and Alpinestars, crediting their equipment for his survival in those critical moments.
• The Halo: Grosjean has been unequivocal that the Halo device was the single most important factor in saving his life, stating, "Without it, I wouldn’t be able to speak to you today."
• The Phoenix: He signed off his post with #thephoenix, a nickname he has carried since the crash, symbolizing his rise from the ashes.

Looking Ahead:

While the 2020 crash marked his final F1 race start, Grosjean did get a symbolic farewell run with Haas at a private test in Mugello in September 2025. His story continues to be a cornerstone of F1's safety narrative, a testament to both human resilience and the critical role of technology in protecting drivers at the pinnacle of motorsport.