Toto Wolff assures Romain Grosjean’s test in a Mercedes Formula One car will go ahead this year despite delay
After Romain Grosjean’s abrupt career end in Formula 1 with the fire accident in Bahrain in 2020, the Mercedes team in the person of team boss Toto Wolff offered the Frenchman a farewell test in a Mercedes Formula 1 car.
The test was supposed to take place during the 2021 French Grand Prix, but the plans had to be scrapped due to strict travel restrictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
An alternative date has not yet been found due to the busy schedules of the Formula 1 teams and Romain Grosjean, who has been racing in the American Indy Car Series since last year. In addition, Formula 1 has strict restrictions on testing within a season.
Toto Wolff: “I keep my word “
When the issue seemed to have been forgotten, Grosjean posted a video on his YouTube channel showing his helmet for the test. “Everyone is asking about the Mercedes test,” he says during the video. “The test hasn’t happened yet, but the helmet would be ready for it.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff clarifies that Mercedes has not forgotten about the test and they just need to agree on a date with Grosjean. “The test will come, we have committed to that. When I give my word, I keep it,” Wolff said.
Earlier this year, Grosjean made it clear he would remain in contact with Wolff. “After Abu Dhabi I sent a message to Toto,” said the Frenchman. “After a few weeks I wrote to him again and he thanked me. His last sentence was: ‘We have to get you in the car this year!””
However, Grosjean won’t be getting into the Mercedes in front of a home crowd at the French Grand Prix as he has an Indy car assignment in Iowa this weekend. “But Mercedes and I definitely want to do it this year, although probably my neck will say goodbye because I’ve lost part of the muscle there,” he explains.
