Grosjean ruled out of season finale in Abu Dhabi
Romain Grosjean is travelling home to Switzerland for further treatment on his hands and will therefore miss the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
After being released from hospital earlier in the week following his horrific crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Grosjean had returned to the Sakhir paddock and even went as far as sitting back in his cockpit as he assessed whether he could return for possibly the last race of his Formula 1 career at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
But, the decision has been made for Grosjean to fly home after the Sakhir Grand Prix to continue his treatment and recovery. He will be back in the Sakhir paddock to say goodbye to the Haas team.
A Haas team statement read: ‘Romain Grosjean will depart Bahrain to return home to Switzerland where he will receive on-going medical treatment on the burns he suffered on the back of his hands at the Bahrain Grand Prix – Sunday 29 November.
‘As a result, Grosjean will not attend the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next week with Haas F1 Team – the season finale of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship scheduled to have been the Frenchman’s final race with the American team.
‘Pietro Fittipaldi, currently subbing for Grosjean at the Sakhir Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit, will compete again for Haas F1 Team alongside teammate Kevin Magnussen in Abu Dhabi, 11-13 December.’
Grosjean has said it was “one of the hardest decisions” he has faced but knows it is the wisest option.
❤❤❤ I'll miss you too and not only in Abu Dhabi https://t.co/mnza76lqCm
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) December 6, 2020
“It is with great sadness that I will not be able to do my final race in Abu Dhabi and be with the team there,” said Grosjean.
“We’ve tried as much as we could with the doctor to recover and to repair my hand, but the risk of racing is too big for my recovery and my health. So, the decision was made that I’m not going to race.
“It’s one of the hardest decisions of my life, but it’s obviously one of the wisest. I will miss the team, but I will be supporting them as ever.”
Haas boss Guenther Steiner added: “I’m naturally very sorry that Romain will miss what was going to be his final race with Haas F1 Team.
“But we are all in agreement that he has to take the best course of action regarding his treatment and recovery from last Sunday’s incident.
“Romain has shown exceptional bravery and amazing spirit over the last few days – we know how badly he wanted to be able to return to the cockpit of the VF-20 in Abu Dhabi. And we all would have loved him to have been there too.”
Romain Grosjean said he would be ringing every F1 team for a test opportunity next year so he could say goodbye properly on his own terms.
Mercedes have already said that they would be willing to grant his request.
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