Grosjean ‘finalising plans’ with Mercedes for F1 test outing

Romain Grosjean says he is close to finalising a plan to test a Mercedes Formula 1 car in the near future.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said at the end of last season that the German manufacturer would be willing to give Grosjean a private run in one of its world-championship winning F1 cars as a farewell gesture from the sport following his terrifying accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"If we are allowed to do this, and nobody else within his universe of teams that he raced for would provide him with such an opportunity, we would do this," Wolff said.

Grosjean was unable to contest the final two rounds of the 2020 F1 season with Haas due to the burns he suffered to his hands in his remarkable escape from the fire that engulfed his car following his 137mph impact with the barrier.

The 34-year-old Frenchman, who has secured a drive with Dale Coyne Racing to make his racing return this year in the 2021 IndyCar series, recently spoke of his desire to drive one of Mercedes’ cars and said he would chase up Wolff on his offer.

During an online chat with fans over the weekend, Grosjean confirmed he has had an initial conversation with Mercedes and revealed that talks over a test are at an advanced stage.

“I have had a phone call with them and we are finalising the plan,” Grosjean said. “I think it’s going to be mega.”

It is expected that any private running would have to take place in at least two-year-old machinery, meaning that Grosjean could theoretically drive Mercedes’ title-winning W10 from 2019.

Crash.net understands a specific date or location for the outing has not yet been agreed between Mercedes and Grosjean, who is currently in America for pre-season testing ahead of the first race of the 2021 IndyCar Series at Barber on 18 April.

Meanwhile, the 2021 F1 season begins next month, with pre-season testing running between 12-14 March before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on 28 March.