Romain Grosjean`s fiery accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix five years ago is still one of the most shocking moments in Formula 1 history.

It created a lasting image of modern F1, when the Haas driver emerged from flames after being trapped in his car for 27 seconds. Surprisingly, considering the crash`s intensity, Grosjean only suffered burns on his hands.

Grosjean`s survival seemed impossible. He crashed hard at high speed, and his car broke apart. It caught fire, and he was inside the burning wreckage for a very long time. His crash and survival highlighted the F1 safety innovations that have been saving lives for many years.

The crash

On the first lap, Grosjean collided with Daniil Kvyat after exiting the chicane at the Bahrain Sakhir circuit. Grosjean`s car veered right, hitting the barriers head-on. The car split in two: the front part went through the barrier, into a mess of carbon fiber, while the rear part continued along the barriers. The car immediately ignited.

The FIA investigation found that Grosjean hit the barrier at 192 kph (119 mph), at an angle of 22 degrees. The peak impact force was 67 Gs. To understand this, drivers experience about 6 Gs when braking hard from top speed.

Grosjean got out of the car himself. The F1 medical car was already there, and Dr. Ian Roberts helped pull Grosjean to safety. It was an unbelievable scene, but Grosjean`s survival was due to many technological advancements in safety pioneered by the FIA and F1 over the years.

It turned out that Grosjean`s life was saved multiple times in a split second by various safety technologies.

The carbon-fiber cocoon

The most important safety feature is the survival cell, or monocoque. It`s vital safety equipment in today`s Formula 1. It`s been common since the early 1980s, first used on John Barnard`s McLaren in 1981.

Crash tests before each season focus on this part of the car. Today, the monocoque is the last defense between the driver and the track and has likely saved many lives.

Before carbon-fiber monocoques, the area around Grosjean`s cockpit would have been destroyed. His legs and torso would have absorbed most of the impact.

The monocoque, like a cocoon, is made of woven carbon fiber and resin, designed to be unbreakable. Grosjean`s crash showed this, as it remained intact during the 67 G impact, even though the Haas VF-20 split in half. Grosjean stayed safely inside the cell, protected from major injuries.

HANS device

As Grosjean`s car rapidly decelerated, another safety innovation activated.

The Head and Neck Support (HANS) device, worn around the neck, might look awkward, but it`s essential. It prevents sudden head movements, preventing whiplash or worse. In high-impact crashes, HANS devices can prevent broken necks and skull fractures.

The HANS device wasn`t immediately accepted. Dale Earnhardt`s death at the 2001 Daytona 500 quickly made it essential. With Grosjean`s body protected by the survival cell and HANS device, another once-criticized technology became crucial.

Halo: from skeptic to believer

The Halo cockpit protection is perhaps F1`s most important recent safety innovation, fundamentally changing the sport. Since 1950, F1 cars had open cockpits. Calls for more driver protection grew after Henry Surtees died from a flying tire in a 2009 Formula 2 race, and Felipe Massa was seriously injured by a loose spring during Hungarian Grand Prix practice.

The 7 kg titanium Halo is designed to withstand 12 tons of force. Before its 2018 introduction, the FIA said it could withstand a London bus falling on it. The technology was controversial. Grosjean was a strong critic, saying, `I don`t think it belongs in F1.`

In Bahrain, the Halo was essential. Without it, Grosjean`s head would have hit the barrier at 119 mph. It definitely saved his life. This moment changed Grosjean`s view of the device.

From his hospital bed, Grosjean wrote: `I wasn`t for the Halo before, but now I think it`s the best thing in Formula 1, and without it, I wouldn`t be talking to you today.`

Extraction

Essential to the Halo is the extraction test. Before the season, all drivers must be able to unbuckle, get out of the cockpit, and escape the car in 10 seconds. Grosjean`s real escape was slower. Trapped and disoriented in flames, he realized his left boot was stuck. He had to force his foot out of his boot to get free.

Considering the situation, it`s understandable that it took him three attempts to get out, but extraction is practiced so much it`s automatic. Grosjean took 28 seconds, not 10, and still survived.

Fire protection

The fire was the most shocking visual part of the crash. Grosjean only getting burns on his hands was a miracle. In the past, drivers often suffered terrible fire injuries in crashes.

The fire`s temperature can be 800 to 1,000 degrees Celsius. Grosjean wore an Alpinestars suit of Nomex, a fire-resistant material used in racing for decades.

A new suit design in 2020 aimed to prevent serious burns at extreme temperatures for about 18 seconds. Grosjean was in the fire for 27 seconds, exceeding this limit. In 2021, the FIA improved gloves, identifying them as a weak point from the crash. They continue to improve fire safety.

Seconds matter: The medical car and extraction team

Formula 1 has a unique tradition: the F1 medical car follows the field at the start of every race. Driven by Alan van der Merwe, with Dr. Ian Roberts, its job is to reach any first-lap crash quickly.

This may have saved Grosjean`s life.

When his car vanished in flames, the medical car sped up. In 11 seconds, Van der Merwe was at the crash site. Roberts ran towards the fire with an extinguisher, unsure if Grosjean was alive. When Grosjean emerged, Roberts helped him away from the wreckage.

Marshals sprayed extinguishers, creating a surreal scene. It wasn`t staged; it was quick action that saved a life.