Romain Grosjean hails halo as the ‘greatest thing’ in F1 after horrific crash at Bahrain GP

“Thanks to all the medical staff at the circuit and the hospital. Hopefully I can write you quite soon some messages and tell you how it’s going.”

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said he is “thankful for all the safety advancements in modern Formula One in order to protect the drivers,” while Grosjean’s teammate Kevin Magnussen said he is “so happy that the halo was introduced … without it I’m sure it would have been a very different day.”

Grosjean is expected to be discharged from hospital on Tuesday, according to Haas.

He will, however, be replaced by Pietro Fittipaldi for next weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, where the Brazilian will make his F1 debut. Bahrain is hosting F1’s third double-header of the 2020 season.

‘Disgusted and disappointed’

Meanwhile Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo voiced strong criticism of the way Grosjean’s crash was broadcast as drivers waited to return to the track.

“I’m firstly happy that he’s okay from it, from what I saw,” Ricciardo, who eventually finished seventh, said after the race.

“But I’m disgusted and disappointed with Formula One for choosing the way to show it as they did and broadcast replays after replays after replays of the fire, his car split in half … Why do we need to see this? We’re competing again in an hour.

“His family has to keep watching that, all our families have to keep watching that … to show it like it’s something from Hollywood, it’s not cool.”

When contacted by CNN for a response to Ricciardo’s comments, an F1 spokesperson said: “Firstly, at F1 this isn’t about entertainment and a few procedures and protocols are in place before any decision to run a replay is made.

“Following the accident, all onboards and helicopter feeds were cut. There is direct communications between race control and the broadcast center during the incident.

“No footage is shown until there is confirmation the driver was okay. On this occasion at this point, F1 showed Romain with the ambulance, helmet off and walking with aid.

“No replays of an accident are shown until there is approval and confirmation from race control and (governing body) the FIA that all persons are safe — driver, marshals, doctors etc.

“The context of what a viewer sees and hears with the commentary is important with them talking about the safety of Romain, the halo, FIA safety improvements and updates from the medical center.”