Grosjean hit barrier at 192 kph with 67 G force in F1 crash

Romain Grosjean was going 192 kph (119 mph) when he hit a metal crash barrier and his car exploded into a fireball around him at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The impact was estimated at 67 Gs, a force equivalent to 67 times his body weight. By comparison, heavy braking in an F1 car produces about 6 Gs.

The findings came from an investigation into the horror crash last November by governing body the FIA that concluded on Friday, and will be presented to the drivers’ commission on Tuesday.

A part of Haas driver Romain Grosjean's car is taken after the crash at the start of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Tolga Bozoglu, Pool via AP)

The French driver made an astonishing escape from the raging furnace.

Grosjean's Haas car sliced in half after penetrating the barrier and quickly caught fire. He was trapped inside the cockpit for 27 seconds before scrambling out, yanking his jammed foot out of his racing boot in order to do so.

He suffered only minor burns to the back of his hands and a sprained left ankle, and was discharged from hospital soon after.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France is helped by medical staff after he crashed his car during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP)

The crash happened on the opening lap when the right rear wheel of his car clipped the left front wheel of Russian driver Daniil Kvyat's AlphaTauri, when attempting to pass from the left to right-hand side of the Sakhir track.

“The fuel tank inspection hatch on the left-hand side of the chassis was dislodged and the engine fuel supply connection was torn from the fuel tank ... providing primary paths for the escape of fuel,” the FIA said in a statement. “Fire was ignited during the final moments of the barrier impact, starting from the rear of the survival cell and progressing forwards towards the driver.”

The ring-shaped halo device at the front of Grosjean's cockpit protected his head by withstanding the huge impact, and he credited it with saving his life.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France is helped by medical staff after he crashed his car during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP)

Then, dealing with the shock of a ferocious crash while a fire threatened to burn him alive, Grosjean was faced with another problem.

“Romain Grosjean’s left foot was initially trapped as the car came to rest,” the FIA said. “The driver was able to free his foot by withdrawing it from his racing boot, leaving the boot in the entrapped position in the car and then moved both the dislodged headrest and steering wheel to (leave) the car.”

After his release from hospital Grosjean went to meet the three medical crew — FIA doctor Ian Roberts, medical car driver Alan van der Merwe, and a local doctor — who reacted so swiftly to help him.

Staff extinguish flames from Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France's car after a crash during the Formula One race in Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Bryn Lennon, Pool via AP)

They arrived at the scene in a medical car in just 11 seconds by cutting a corner due to “local circuit knowledge and pre-planning,” the FIA said.

“Ian Roberts went immediately to the scene of the incident and instructed a marshal to operate the dry powder extinguisher around the cockpit where he identified Romain Grosjean,” the FIA said. “Alan van der Merwe retrieved a fire extinguisher from the rear of the car whilst the local doctor prepared the trauma bag.”

It proved to be Grosjean's last race in F1 since he was without a seat for 2021, and he has switched to the IndyCar series with Dale Coyne Racing.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France waves Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Grosjean escaped with only minor burns when his Haas car exploded into a fireball after crashing on the first lap at last weekend's Bahrain GP. (AP PhotoKamran Jebreili)

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Haas driver Romain Grosjean of France arrives to thank the marshals Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Grosjean escaped with only minor burns when his Haas car exploded into a fireball after crashing on the first lap at last weekend's Bahrain GP. (AP PhotoKamran Jebreili)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and No. 2 Michigan beat No. 24 Southern California 96-66 on Friday night.

Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.

Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.

Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the floor and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.

The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.

USC got no closer the rest of the way.

USC: At No. 9 Michigan State on Monday.

Michigan: Visits Penn State on Tuesday.

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Michigan center Aday Mara, front, drives against Southern California center Gabe Dynes, back, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)