Shocked driver runs to the grandstand: horror accident in Formula 1 – car rolls over in safety fence

Created: 07/03/2022, 17:40

By: Patrick Mayer

Heavy crash at the Silverstone GP: Formula 1 driver Zhou Guanyu with his car (rear).

© IMAGO/Glenn Dunbar

At the British Grand Prix, a serious crash occurs at Silverstone after the start.

A safety fence prevents Zhou Guanyu's car from hitting a grandstand.

Munich/Silverstone – It was the moment of shock in the 2022 Formula 1 season so far. At the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, England, a safety fence prevented worse things from happening in the event of a spectacular crash.

Mercedes driver George Russell collided with Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo immediately after the start, so that the young Chinese's car was overturned.

Formula 1 at Silverstone: Spectacular accident of Zhou Guanyu at the British GP

Zhou's car slid headfirst over the tarmac into the gravel bed, where the Alfa Romeo rolled over several times.

And so hard that the car flew over the tire wall.

The car finally hit a safety fence in front of a grandstand with great force.

The race on the classic route was immediately interrupted.

Race doctors and paramedics rushed their vehicles to the injured Zhou.

And not just her.

In the video: Formula 1 - Questions and answers about the British Grand Prix

Russell, who also slid his car into the gravel bed, got out of his Mercedes and ran in the direction of the Alfa Romeo, obviously worried.

This had consequences for the 24-year-old Englishman: because his Mercedes had to be towed away and he was unable to drive it into the pits himself because of a flat tire, he was no longer allowed on the track at the restart.

“I had no grip at all.

The others shot past me, then I touched Zhou's side," Russell told Sky. "I jumped up to see if Zhou was okay."

The most important message was a long time coming.

Only after long minutes of worrying did the race organizers announce that Zhou was conscious and not seriously injured.

The 23-year-old Chinese has no fractures or other serious injuries, it said.

He was taken to Silverstone Medical Center for a precautionary check-up.

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Formula 1 driver from China: Zhou Guanyu from Team Williams.

© IMAGO / ActionPlus

"The chassis and the safety fence saved lives," said Sky commentator Sascha Roos during the broadcast of the race.

Thai driver Alexander Albon also required treatment.

Formula 1 at Silverstone: All clear for Zhou Guanyu – Alexander Albon has to go to the hospital

The 26-year-old Formula 1 driver from the Williams team was involved in the second crash in the driver's field as a result of the Russell-Zhou collision.

Several cars bumped into his cars.

Apparently he injured his hand from the force of the impact because the steering wheel overturned.

Albon was taken to a hospital by helicopter while Zhou stayed at the Silverstone track medical center for further checks.