The lessons F1 will learn from Grosjean's crash

At that point in time, the halo device that helped save Grosjean's life on this occasion was poised to be introduced ahead of the 2018 season, despite the derision and scorn that had been heaped upon it through the planning and test phase by nearly all the drivers – including Grosjean himself.

In 2017, as F1 trialled the halo, Grosjean said: "I have made myself clear since the beginning – we don't need anything. I am against every halo or shield or whatever. It is not F1."

You can appreciate his tune changed in the wake of his life miraculously being spared after careering through a metal guardrail on the opening lap of the race at the Bahrain International Circuit, with an impact speed of 137mph and at a force of 53g that split the Haas VF-20 in two.

The images that emerged in the wake of one of the worst accidents witnessed in F1 in recent times will never be forgotten – from the instantaneous fireball that erupted as Grosjean's Haas struck the barrier, his emergence from the flames, the heroics of FIA medical car duo Dr Ian Roberts and Alan van der Merwe and the track marshals, to the post-apocalyptic remnants of the Frenchman's car.

The force and angle of the collision was such that the front half of the car sliced through the barrier, with the halo protecting the head of the 34-year-old Frenchman as it did so. Without it, it does not require too much imagination to appreciate what the outcome would have been.

After sustaining nothing more than burns to the backs of his hands and a sprained left ankle, Grosjean was later able to give thanks to a device it has to be remembered was devised following the accident in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix that eventually claimed the life of Jules Bianchi.

From that awful moment on, it was effectively three years in the making. From its introduction, it has taken an additional three years to prove itself a worthy addition to the roll call of safety innovation that has filtered into F1 over the past 25 years.

Grosjean conceded that at one stage during his accident and the interminable 28 seconds that was required to extract himself from his car he "saw death", but that it "wasn't my time".

Giving thanks to the halo, which is made of grade five titanium and extensively used in the aerospace industry, Grosjean said: "I wasn't for the halo some years ago but I think it's the greatest thing we've brought to Formula 1 and without it, I wouldn't be able to speak to you."  

There were many other factors that contributed to Grosjean's survival, including work over the years with regard to driver extraction as the regulations require teams to design their cars to make it possible for a five-second exit, while tests are conducted prior to the start of every season. Additionally, there were the fireproofs worn by Grosjean that must withstand temperatures of 800 degrees Celsius, resist ignition for 10 seconds and limit the inside to no more than 41 degrees Celsius for 11 seconds. And then there was the response of Roberts and Van der Merwe, along with the marshals who reacted swiftly and heroically despite their own lives being in danger.

While the world of F1 was able to breathe an enormous sigh of relief when Grosjean could be seen through the flames before clambering over a barrier to safety, the sport and its governing body, the FIA, will not rest on any laurels.

Questions were immediately raised about the effectiveness of the guardrail that was unfathomably pierced by the Haas. A perfect storm of factors naturally combined that resulted in the barrier failing. You can argue it was a freak accident, perhaps never likely to be witnessed again, but then it was the same with Bianchi when his Marussia collided with a recovery vehicle at a particular angle during the rain-hit race that day at Suzuka. F1 and the FIA responded then, and they will do so again on this occasion.

A detailed forensic investigation has been launched that will look at all areas, including the helmet – the visor of which melted in the heat – HANS, safety harness, protective clothing, survival cell, headrest, in-car extinguisher system and the halo, as well as analysis of chassis integrity and the safety barrier performance.

The investigation is expected to take six to eight weeks, with its findings to come under the microscope of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, the FIA's Serious Accident Study Group and Research Working Group, as well as the Safety Commission, under the auspices of Sir Patrick Head.

FIA safety director Adam Baker said: “As with all serious accidents, we will analyse every aspect of this crash and collaborate with all parties involved. With so much data available in Formula 1, it allows us to accurately determine every element of what occurred and this work has already begun.

"We take this research very seriously and will follow a rigorous process to find out exactly what happened before proposing potential improvements.”

There will always be accidents, they are part and parcel of motorsport, which is why the work of the FIA never ceases in a bid to counter every possibility.

Perhaps in a few years' time we will be reflecting on another life-saving innovation spawned from what happened in Bahrain to Grosjean, just as we have done these past few days with the halo that emerged from the incident involving Bianchi.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.