By Chris Medland July 3, 2022 3:13 PM
By Chris Medland | July 3, 2022 3:13 PM ET
Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou says the halo saved his life in his huge crash at the start of the British Grand Prix.
Zhou had started from ninth place and got away well but then was tagged by George Russell after the Mercedes driver was tapped into a spin by Pierre Gasly on a congested pit straight. The contact sent Zhou upside down at high speed and then his car dug into the gravel, flipping him over the tire barrier and into a catch fence before landing the wrong way up against the barrier.
“It was a big crash and I’m glad I’m OK,” Zhou said. “The marshals and the medical team at the track were fantastic with their quick response, and I also owe my thanks to the FIA and Formula 1 for all the work they have done, and they keep doing, to improve the safety of our cars — the halo saved me today, and it goes to show that every step we take in improving our cars has real, valuable results. I’m keener than ever to get back on track and do what I love; I’m fit and I’m looking forward to Austria next week.”
Team principal Frederic Vasseur echoed Zhou’s comments, saying the incident is far more important than anything else that happened during the race as both Alfa Romeo drivers retired.
“I think we can all agree that the most important thing today is seeing Zhou come out of such a huge crash without any injury,” Vasseur said. “What we witnessed were dramatic scenes, and once again we have to thank the great improvements in safety spearheaded by the FIA and Formula 1 for a positive outcome.
“The work to improve safety in our sport is never done and today reminds us of just how important this is; Zhou is OK and fit to race in Austria next week, and this is the big victory of the day.”
British Grand Prix, Guanyu Zhou, Formula 1
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, he contributes to BBC 5Live and Sky Sports in the UK as well as working with titles in Japan and the Middle East.
Verstappen vows to be patient after ‘painful’ Q3 problem
No need for Ferrari orders, Leclerc insists
Russell admits first pole ‘huge’ for Mercedes as he targets win
July 30, 2022 10:50 PM ET · By: FR Americas/F4 US
It was a tight race for the drivers competing in Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda’s race one at New Jersey (…)
July 30, 2022 9:28 PM ET · By: NHRA
Top Fuel points leader Brittany Force delivered a massive performance to close out qualifying on Saturday at Pacific Raceways, rocketing to (…)
July 30, 2022 8:33 PM ET · By: FR Americas/F4 US
Raoul Hyman continued his charge in the 2022 Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) season by winning the (…)
July 30, 2022 6:46 PM ET · By: Road to Indy
A thrilling climax to the first of three races that will comprise this weekend’s Fleet Farm Grand Prix of Road America saw Sam Corry edge (…)
July 30, 2022 6:39 PM ET · By: Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
The NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs are still six races away, but AJ Allmendinger has already clinched one title. With his victory in (…)
July 30, 2022 6:12 PM ET · By: Kelly Crandall
William Byron just wants to make his race car go — and not just go, but go fast consistently. In recent weeks, the Hendrick Motorsports (…)
July 30, 2022 5:01 PM ET · By: Marshall Pruett
Prior to Christian Lundgaard’s career-best finish of second on Saturday at Indianapolis, the Rahal Letterman Lanigan team’s top (…)
July 30, 2022 4:39 PM ET · By: Marshall Pruett
Marcus Ericsson made up 14 positions during Saturday’s Indianapolis Grand Prix but it wasn’t enough for the Swede to hold onto the (…)
July 30, 2022 4:24 PM ET · By: Kelly Crandall
The fight for the regular season championship might be over to some, but Ross Chastain isn’t ready to concede the title to Chase Elliott. (…)
Reddick delivers late to take Indy Cup pole
Russell admits first pole ‘huge’ for Mercedes as he targets win
Verstappen vows to be patient after ‘painful’ Q3 problem
No need for Ferrari orders, Leclerc insists
All contents copyright © 2022, Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc., 17030 Red Hill Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614, 949.417.6700 Partner of USA Today Sports Digital Properties