Grosjean takes blame for delay in planned Mercedes F1 test

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Romain Grosjean says his planned F1 test with Mercedes, as promised by team boss Toto Wolff in 2021, is still on the cards but the former Haas driver takes responsibility for the delay, stating “It’s all my fault”.

In the wake of Grosjean’s harrowing fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, which forced the Haas driver to abruptly conclude his Formula 1 career, Mercedes extended a compassionate gesture to the Frenchman by offering him a swansong F1 test outing.

Grosjean underwent a seat fitting at Brackley in 2021 while several demo runs were scheduled during the French Grand Prix weekend at Paul Ricard, with a proper track day taking place the following week.

Unfortunately, Covid issues let to unforeseen changes to F1’s calendar, forcing Mercedes to scrap that plan, while setting up an alternate date and venue proved difficult given Grosjean's full-time IndyCar agenda.

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Over two years later, the test has yet to materialize but the opportunity remains alive insists Grosjean.

“Yes, absolutely. We haven’t found the time yet – and yes, it’s all my fault,” he told GP Racing. “It’s not easy though – I’m looking at 30 race weekends next year [in 2024].

“You guys complain about 24 in F1 and I have 18 in IndyCar, seven in endurance and five in F1 with Canal+ [as a commentator]. So it’s not easy to add a test.”

Grosjean will race this season in the NTT IndyCar Series with Juncos Hollinger Racing, while he’ll also compete in selected IMSA events with Iron Lynx at the wheel of its Lamborghini LMDh car.

The 37-year-old admits that one benefit to his delayed test with Mercedes is that when it takes place, because F1 teams are only permitted to run cars that are at least two years old, he’ll likely be able to sample a current generation ground-effect car.

“Very selfishly, I’m trying to delay it to the point where I can actually test a new generation of cars,” Grosjean acknowledged.

“But yeah, I’m still keen to do it and whenever I see Toto he always confirms that it’s going to happen. Yes, it would be very cool to get back in an F1 car.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.