Romain Grosjean 'Sort Of OK' After Horrific Crash At Bahrain Grand Prix

French Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has spoken for the first time after surviving a horrific crash during the Bahrain Grand Prix Sunday.

The Haas F1 driver shared a video on his official Instagram page where he addressed fans following the terrifying crash. Speaking from the hospital, Grosjean said that he’s “sort of OK” and thanked his fans for the continuous support.

The 34-year-old driver also admitted that the accident changed his views on the halo safety device, calling it “the greatest thing that we brought to Formula 1” after it saved him from being severely injured in the crash.

“Hello everyone, I just wanted to say I am OK -- well, sort of OK. Thank you very much for all the messages. I wasn't for the Halo some years ago, but I think it's the greatest thing that we've brought to Formula 1, and without it, I wouldn't be able to speak with you today,” Grosjean said in the video while holding up his bandaged hands to the camera.

The driver also expressed gratitude toward the medical staff at the Bahrain International Circuit and the hospital for saving his life.

“So thanks to all the medical staff at the circuit, at the hospital, and hopefully I can write you quite soon some messages and tell you how it's going,” Grosjean said.

The halo is a driver crash-protection system used in open-wheel racing series that forms a protective ring around the driver’s head. It was introduced following the death of Jules Bianchi in 2015. Bianchi sustained several head injuries in a crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

Grosjean’s accident occurred when he made contact with Daniil Kvyat in the opening lap of the Bahrain GP, drilling him into the barriers. Grosjean’s car burst into flames after being ripped in half due to the crash.

Haas released a statement after the crash and assured the fans that Grosjean is doing fine after sustaining burns on the back of his both hands. The medical update also noted that all X-rays came back “negative” and he will be spending the night in the hospital.

Dr. Alan Roberts and Alan van der Merwe, members of the medical car team, described what they saw when their car arrived at the scene.

“The approach to the scene was very odd. I mean, we’ve got a fireball to the right and as we approached, there was half a car pointing in the wrong direction and the big question is: ‘Where’s the other half? and Why is this fire going on?’ And it soon became obvious as we pulled up that we could see through the gap in the barrier that Romain was there, and engulfed in the flames,” Roberts said after the race.

Here’s how Grosjean’s fellow Formula 1 drivers reacted to the horrifying car crash:

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said they will let Grosjean make the call on whether he will get back into the cockpit of the VF-20 in next weekend's return to Bahrain should he physically be capable.