Formula 1: Romain Grosjean out for the year, ending Haas career

Romain Grosjean will not compete in another Formula 1 race for Haas, as he has announced that he will miss the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.

After suffering burns to his hands in a nasty crash on the opening lap of last Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix Formula 1 race at Bahrain International Circuit, Romain Grosjean spent a couple of nights at Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Hospital in Riffa.

It was confirmed that he would miss today’s race, the Sakhir Grand Prix, at the outer layout of Bahrain International Circuit and that Pietro Fittipaldi would serve as his replacement alongside teammate Kevin Magnussen.

There was initially hope that Grosjean, who has since been released from the hospital, would be able to return in time for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit next Sunday, December 13 for one final start with Haas.

But he will not compete in that race either, thereby ending his Haas tenure.

Grosjean announced that he is flying home to Switzerland, where he plans to continue to focus on recovering from his accident.

Here is what he had to say about the matter, according to Formula 1.

"“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. 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.”"

He also shared the following message on Twitter.

Here is what Haas team principal Guenther Steiner had to add.

"“Romain believed in our Formula 1 project at the very start, he committed to drive for us before we’d even built a car. There is no doubting the determination and sheer effort he has put into helping us to achieve what we have as a young team in Formula 1. We will forever be grateful for that belief and commitment. It is those qualities, his drive and ambition, that I’m sure will aid him on his recovery. On behalf of Gene Haas and myself, together with the whole Haas F1 Team operation, we wish Romain well and a return to full health.”"

More from Formula One

• Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
• Formula 1: Why the Max Verstappen retirement obsession?
• Formula 1: Williams ‘mistake’ hints Logan Sargeant’s future
• Formula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 season
• Formula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 points

Fittipaldi will likely replace Grosjean in next Sunday’s race as well.

The 34-year-old Frenchman has competed for Haas since they entered Formula 1 in 2016. In 96 starts with the team, he finished as high as fourth place in the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.

Formula 2 drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin are set to replace Grosjean and Magnussen at the American team next year.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has stated that the Silver Arrows would be willing to run a car for Grosjean in a private test should he not be able to return for the season finale. Details have not yet been announced.

Grosjean had been interested in making the switch to IndyCar for next year, likely with A.J. Foyt Enterprises should it happen, but he has admitted that his recent shunt has made him rethink whether or not more open-wheel racing would be worth it, especially considering the additional factor of superspeedways.