Romain Grosjean waives Formula 1 start in Abu Dhabi

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Romain Grosjean returns to his adopted home Switzerland and continues to receive treatment there

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Kamran Jebreili / dpa

After his fire accident in Bahrain, Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean will not take part in the season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

"We tried everything to get my hand back, but the risk of a race is too great for my health and safety," said the 34-year-old Frenchman after consulting his doctors.

"It is one of the hardest decisions of my life, but also one of my wisest," said the Haas driver, who will be replaced by the Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi, as in the evening at the second Bahrain race in Sakhir (6:10 pm, TV: RTL and Sky) becomes.

"It is very sad that I can no longer do my last race in Abu Dhabi and be with the team there." Grosjean is returning to his adopted home of Switzerland and receiving further treatment there.

Grosjean suffered burns to his hands in his accident a week ago.

Afterwards, he had declared that after five years at Haas he did not want to end his Formula 1 career without further commitment.

Grosjean has to leave the US racing team like Kevin Magnussen at the end of the year.

Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin from Formula 2 replace the two drivers.

Grosjean has been active in Formula 1 for Haas since the team was founded in 2016, contesting 96 of his 179 grands prix for the team.

"Romain believed in our Formula 1 project from the start, he committed himself to driving for us before we had even built a car," said team boss Günther Steiner: "We will be forever grateful for this belief and this commitment. "

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