Grosjean says he thought of Niki Lauda, ​​reveals he ‘saw death coming’ in Bahrain crash



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Romain Grosjean says he “saw death coming” as he tried to escape from his burning car after his huge accident during the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday – and that “for my children, I told myself he I had to get out ”.

The Frenchman hit the barriers after Turn 3 on the first lap of Sunday’s race, tearing his car in half before it caught fire. He managed to get out of the car within seconds of impact, but in his first interview since the crash, he revealed he had time to think about his kids, and even the former driver of F1 Niki Lauda, ​​who almost died. after a violent accident during the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

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“It seemed a lot longer than 28 seconds,” Grosjean told French channel TF1. “I see my visor turn all orange, I see the flames on the left side of the car. I thought about a lot of things – including Niki Lauda – and I thought it was not possible to end like this, not now. I couldn’t end my Formula 1 story like this. “

Driver Haas says he knew he had to get out of the car for the sake of his family.

“For my children, I said to myself that I had to go out. I put my hands in the fire so I clearly felt it burn on the frame. I got out, then I felt someone put on the costume, so I knew I was out. “

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It involved an FIA medic, Dr Ian Roberts, who was one of the first people on the scene – along with Medical Car driver Alan van der Merwe and several marshals – and helped pull Grosjean through over the barrier as the flames rose from the car.

“I was more afraid for my family and my friends, obviously my children who are my greatest source of pride and energy, than for myself in the end,” continued Grosjean.

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“It’s the biggest crash I’ve ever seen in my life. The car caught fire, exploded, and the battery ignited too, which added a lot of energy on impact. “

And he revealed that while the mental images of the crash will remain with him for life, he is determined to get back in the car for his final F1 race with Haas, in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

“I think there’s going to be some psychological work to do, because I really saw death coming,” he says. “I would say there is a feeling of being happy to be alive, to see things differently. But you also have to get back in the car, if possible in Abu Dhabi, to finish my story with Formula 1 d ‘a different way.

“It was almost like a second birth. Coming out of the flames that day is something that will mark my life forever.

“I don’t know if the word miracle exists or if it can be used, but anyway I would say it was not my time [to die],” he said.

Guenther Steiner, the boss of Grosjean’s team at Haas, revealed on Tuesday the Frenchman will stay in hospital another night as he continues to be treated for the burns he suffered in the crash.

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