Grosjean thanks firefighters who ‘saved my life’ in Bahrain
Haas driver Romain Grosjean returned to the Bahrain Formula 1 paddock on Thursday, just four days after his horrific fiery crash, and met two key firefighters to say “thank you for saving my life”.
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 returns to the paddock after his crash with his hand in a bandage

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 retuns to the garage after his crash

Photo by: Haas F1 Team
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 retuns to the garage after his crash

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 retuns to the garage after his crash

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 meets Doctor Ian Roberts, medical car driver Alan van der Merwe who helped him in his crash at last Grand Prix

Photo by: Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 meets Michael Masi, Race Director

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 meets Doctor Ian Robert and medical car driver Alan van der Merwe who helped him in his crash at last Grand Prix

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 meets the marshals and medical staff including Doctor Ian Roberts, medical car driver Alan van der Merwe who helped him in his crash at last Grand Prix

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 meets Doctor Ian Robert and medical car driver Alan van der Merwe who helped him in his crash at last Grand Prix

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 retuns to the garage after his crash

Photo by: Haas F1 Team
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 retuns to the garage after his crash

Photo by: Haas F1 Team
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 retuns to the garage after his crash

Photo by: Haas F1 Team
Grosjean was discharged from hospital on Wednesday and is hopeful of recovering from his injuries so he can return to the cockpit for his final F1 race with Haas in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman, who is wearing bandages on both hands and an orthopedic boot on his left foot, met with medical car driver Alan van der Merwe and medical delegate Dr Ian Roberts, before greeting race director Michael Masi by quipping “I’m glad you changed that barrier!”
He then thanked all the marshals who had gathered, before meeting fire fighters Joby Mathew and Thaer Ali Taher – both members of Bahrain’s Civil Defence – who have since received ‘exceptional promotion’ for their reaction and handling of the fire.
Grosjean said to them: “Your reaction, your attitude, I saw the video, your awareness of where I was in the car… Thank you for saving my life.”
Read Also:
Speaking about his injuries yesterday, Grosjean said: “My whole left side was hit. My left ankle is sprained, my left knee was hit, and I've got nice bruises on my left shoulder, my left buttock and my left forearm. I think my left thumb wasn't spared either. Not only this hand is more badly burnt, but my thumb is slightly sprained.
“I've got strength and I can move it in many ways. I can close my fist. However, I can't touch my little finger yet. I would normally be able to [but I can’t at the moment] because it's inflamed and there's a big bandage too.”
He also sprained his left ankle as he tried to get out of the car, with his boot understood to have been trapped behind the brake pedals and coming off as he jumped out.
On the subject of getting back in the car next weekend, he added: “I need to know if I'm able to get back into a car, what I will feel, how it will go – and whether I'm still able to do it.”
Related video

Previous article
Ferrari pushing for Sainz to join Abu Dhabi F1 test
Next article
Perez not keen on F1 reserve role if he can't find race seat

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Event | Sakhir GP |
Author | Charles Bradley |
Grosjean thanks firefighters who ‘saved my life’ in Bahrain
The defining traits that set F1’s best apart
What makes the very best drivers in Formula 1 stand out among what is already a highly elite bunch? Andrew Benson takes a closer look at those with the special blend of skill, judgment, feel and attitude that sets only a select few apart from the rest.
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat