Romain Grosjean targets Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for F1 return

Haas driver to spend another night in hospital following fiery crash in Bahrain on Sunday

The car of Haas driver Romain Grosjean on fire after a crash during the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir on Sunday, November 29. AP

Stewards and medics attend to French driver Romain Grosjean at the Bahrain International Circuit. AFP

Romain Grosjean is pictured on a screen escaping the crash in Bahrain. Getty

Flames at the scene of Sunday's crash. EPA

Part of Romain Grosjean's destroyed car. EPA

Romain Grosjean is taken into an Ambulance. PA

The destroyed car of Romain Grosjean. AP

Fire marshalls try to put out the fire after Romain Grosjean's crash. Getty

Fire marshalls try to put out the fire after Romain Grosjean's crash. Getty

Racing Point's Lance Stroll crashes in Bahrain. EPA

Lance Stroll of Racing Point is helped out of his overturned car. Getty

Lance Stroll's battered Racing Point after the crash. Reuters

Lewis Hamilton after winning in Bahrain. Getty

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the race. Reuters

Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton is cheered by his team after winning in Bahrain. AFP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen on his way to a second-place finish in Bahrain. EPA

Renault's Daniel Ricciardo, left, alongside Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. Getty

Race winner Lewis Hamilton, centre, with second placed Max Verstappen, right, and Alexander Albon who finished third on the podium. Getty

Romain Grosjean is keen to line up for the season-ending Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next week, his Haas team boss says.

The Frenchman will spend another night in hospital recuperating from his fiery Bahrain Grand Prix crash.

The 34-year-old limped away from the horrific crash at Sakhir, which split his car in two, with nothing more than burns to his hands. He was set to be discharged from hospital on Tuesday.

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said doctors are happy with Grosjean's recovery but would keep him in an extra night as a precaution.

"This guy he's got with him actually told me the doctors are very happy, and the healing process is as they had seen it coming," said Steiner.

"So there is no setback or nothing. It's just, maybe, better to stay a night longer to make the healing quicker."

Steiner said Grosjean is working to be back to full fitness in time for the December 13 season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, which is likely to be his Formula One swan song with the Frenchman without a drive in 2021.

"That is his aim now. He just tries to get better to be in the car in Abu Dhabi. I think that shows that he wants to keep on doing it, you know," Steiner added.

Grosjean has put up several posts from hospital on his social media including one on Tuesday showing him, his hands and left foot swaddled in bandages, doing squats.

Haas' Brazilian reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi will replace Grosjean in the car for the second of Bahrain's two races this weekend.

Haas on Tuesday announced Russian Nikita Mazepin as one of its two drivers for the 2021 season.

Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, is favourite to land the second seat at the American team with Grosjean's teammate Kevin Magnussen also leaving the team at the end of the season.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean survived a major crash at the Bahrain GP after his car split in half and burst into flames on Sunday. Getty

Stewards attempt to extinguish flames at the crash scene after Haas' Romain Grosjean crashed out at the start of the Bahrain GP on Sunday. Reuters

The crash site of Haas driver Romain Grosjean at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. EPA

Debris following the crash of Romain Grosjean's Haas car at the Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday. Getty

Haas driver Romain Grosjean's car split in half following a crash in Bahrain on Sunday. Reuters

Flames at the crash site of Romain Grosjean's Haas car in Sakhir. EPA

Stewards attempt to clear the car of Haas' Romain Grosjean from the track. Reuters

Haas' Romain Grosjean is taken away by medical officers after his crash in Bahrain on Sunday. Reuters

Haas' Romain Grosjean is taken in an ambulance. Reuters