Grosjean keen to race in Abu Dhabi

Manama – Romain Grosjean (right) will spend another night in hospital recuperating from his fiery Bahrain Grand Prix crash but the Frenchman is keen to race in the Formula One finale in Abu Dhabi, his Haas team boss Guenther Steiner said.

The 34-year-old, who limped away from the horrific crash that split his car in two with burns to his hands and not a broken bone in his body, was set to be discharged from a nearby hospital yesterday.

“This guy he’s got with him actually told me the doctors are very happy, and the healing process is as they had seen it coming,” said Steiner.

“So there is no setback or nothing. It’s just maybe it’s better to stay a night longer to make the healing quicker.”

Grosjean, who is out of a drive and set to leave Formula One next season, will be replaced by Haas’ Brazilian reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi, for the second of Bahrain’s two races this weekend.

He has put up several posts from hospital on his social media, including one yesterday showing him, his hands and left foot swaddled in bandages, doing squats.

Steiner said he is working to be back to full fitness in time for the 13 December season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, which is likely to be his Formula One swansong.

“That is his aim now. He just tries to get better to be in the car in Abu Dhabi. I think that shows that he wants to keep on doing it you know,” Steiner said.

Haas yesterday announced Russian Nikita Mazepin as one of its two drivers for the 2021 season.

Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, is favourite to land the second seat at the American team with Grosjean’s team mate Kevin Magnussen also leaving. –