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Ayao Komatsu reveals harrowing moment Romain Grosjean defied death in fiery Bahrain crash

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 31, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Ayao Komatsu reveals harrowing moment Romain Grosjean defied death in fiery Bahrain crash

Surviving the Inferno: Ayao Komatsu Recalls Romain Grosjean’s Miraculous Escape from Death

In an astonishing revelation, Ayao Komatsu, the newly appointed Haas F1 team principal, has opened up about the harrowing moment Romain Grosjean’s car burst into flames during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. The very thought that his driver could have perished in that fiery wreck still sends chills down Komatsu’s spine.

The night of the crash was etched in the minds of racing fans around the world, and it continues to haunt Komatsu, who has been a steadfast figure in Grosjean’s career since their days together at Lotus. Promoted to team principal ahead of the 2024 season, Komatsu has seen his share of triumphs, but nothing compares to the sheer relief he felt when Grosjean emerged from the inferno alive.

“Initially, I had no idea it was Romain,” Komatsu recounted during a gripping interview on the High Performance podcast. “The moment I realized it was him, my mind raced with disbelief—‘he cannot be alive.’ He’s not just my driver; he’s my friend.” His voice wavered with emotion as he recalled the agonizing moments that felt like an eternity.

As the chaos unfolded on the track, Komatsu was helplessly seated on the pit wall, unable to communicate with Grosjean as the horrifying scene played out before him. It was only when a race engineer confirmed over the intercom that “Romain’s out” that a spark of hope ignited in Komatsu’s heart. “Then I went to see him before he got airlifted to the hospital. The sight of him giving a thumbs up was a relief I can’t describe. ‘Okay, he’s alive,’ I thought.”

Despite the shocking nature of the crash, which saw Grosjean’s car split in half upon impact with the barrier, the driver managed to escape with only burns to his hands and a miraculous story of survival. The chassis, now displayed at the Formula 1 Exhibition in Vienna, serves as a grim reminder of the incident. Komatsu vividly described the horrific smell of burning butyl rubber that lingered at the crash site, a stark contrast to the joy of knowing Grosjean had survived.

“The wreckage was horrifying,” Komatsu admitted. “You simply cannot fathom how anyone could survive such a disaster. And then, when we recovered the car, Romain’s racing shoes were still stuck behind the pedal.” The scene was harrowing; Grosjean had to fight to free himself from the wreckage, using his hands to push through flames in a desperate bid for survival.

Today, Grosjean competes as a reserve driver for Prema Racing in IndyCar, a testament to his resilience and determination to return to the sport he loves. Yet, the memories of that fateful night remain fresh for Komatsu and his team, underscoring the inherent dangers of motorsport and the unbreakable bonds forged in the face of adversity.

As the world of Formula 1 continues to evolve, the chilling tale of Romain Grosjean’s survival serves as a powerful reminder of both the perils of racing and the incredible strength of the human spirit.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonayao-komatsusHaas F1 TeamPrema RacingRomain Grosjean
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