As expected, FiA – Formula One’s governing body – has launched an investigation into Haas driver Romain Grosjean’s fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend.
The FIA said it would conduct a “detailed” analysis of the incident, which would be six to eight weeks before the findings were published.
FiA safety director Adam Baker said the data “allows us to accurately determine every element of what occurred”.
Grosjean suffered burns to his hands and ankles in the crash that had an impact speed of 137 mph and subjected him to a force of 53G.
This weekend’s race – the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix – will be held on the same track in Bahrain [but on a different, shorter layout than last weekend’s race] and the FIA has already made a number of changes to barriers for the race.
Those changes include a double layer of tires with a conveyor-belt binding installed in front of the barrier Grosjean hit between Turns Three and Four. Additionally, there was an increase in depth and extension of a tire barrier on the right-hand side of Turn Nine, while the kerb at Turns Eight and Nine has been removed to reduce the risk of a car becoming airborne.
As he is departing the Haas team for the 2021 season, Grosjean has emphasized his desire to race in the season-ending 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend on on December 15, if possible.
“The big problem is the left hand,” explained Grosjean. “It will take three weeks for it to heal. So the idea, if I drive to Abu Dhabi, is to put on cream, and a latex glove before putting on the fireproof glove.