Lifesaver "Halo": Alfa driver Zhou fit for Austria

Created: 07/04/2022 05:46

Guanyu Zhou overturned his racing car several times shortly after the start of the race.

© Frank Augstein/AP/dpa

A shock accident at Silverstone shows how safe Formula 1 has become.

Alfa driver Guanyu Zhou is already ready for the next race - he knows what he has to be thankful for.

Silverstone - After his horror accident at Silverstone, Formula 1 driver Guanyu Zhou sees his lifesaver in the once controversial cockpit protection.

"The Halo saved me," said the Chinese and reported that he was fit for the next race in Austria.

The pictures of the departure in his Alfa Romeo upside down in the safety fence caused horror and concern for the health of the 23-year-old at the British Grand Prix.

"It was a serious accident and I'm glad I'm fine," Zhou said.

"Without Halo he wouldn't be there anymore"

Once again, the "Halo" roll bar, which has been mandatory in Formula 1 since 2018, paid off.

Protected by the seven-kilogram titanium ring over his head, Zhou survived the frightening slide over asphalt and gravel and the impact with the fence without major injuries.

"Without Halo, he wouldn't be there anymore.

Of course he was very lucky there," said world champion Max Verstappen after viewing the accident video.

Before the "Halo" was introduced, there had been heated debates among drivers, some of whom feared that their field of vision would be too limited.

"Today showed again that the halo really belongs in Formula 1," said Verstappen.

Alfa Team Principal Frederic Vasseur stated: “The work to improve safety in our sport is never done.

This day reminds us how important this is.”

The cockpit protection was developed in response to several serious incidents.

The Brazilian Felipe Massa was severely injured in the head by a metal spring in Hungary in 2009.

In 2009, 18-year-old Henry Surtees was fatally hit by a flying tire at Brands Hatch in Formula 2.

According to the world association Fia, the "Halo" has to withstand the weight of two African elephants (around twelve tons for two male animals) and a full suitcase, which is fired at 225 km/h.

"Safety is our top priority," said Fia President Mohammed bin Sulayem at Silverstone.

Williams driver Alexander Albon also survived a serious accident at the start without major injuries and was released from the hospital on Sunday evening.

Guanyu Zhou from the Alfa Romeo team is lying on a stretcher after an accident and probably survived the horror accident without serious injuries.

© Frank Augstein/AP/dpa

The “halo” had also prevented worse things from happening in the Formula 2 junior class.

In a collision, the Norwegian Dennis Hauger's car landed in cockpit height on Roy Nissany's car.

The Israeli remained unharmed thanks to the titanium bar.

"The halo probably saved two lives today," said Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz after his Formula 1 victory at Silverstone and emphasized with a view to the increasingly comprehensive safety measures: "I'm very happy to be in Formula 1 at this time drive.” dpa