Zhou Guanyu looks forward to Austrian GP: “I’m keener than ever to get back on track.”

Zhou Guanyu looks forward to Austrian GP: “I’m keener than ever to get back on track.”

Zhou Guanyu

Zhou Guanyu was involved in a terrifying accident at the start of the British Grand Prix. On the run to turn 1, there were a number of incidents, involving various drivers, that led to a red flag in the session. Zhou Guanyu’s was undoubtedly the most nerve-wrenching.

With drivers jockeying for positions and many poor starts, there were a lot of contacts at the start. Sebastian Vettel went into the back of Alex Albon, who collided with the concrete wall on the side of the main straight. Pierre Gasly tapped the side of George Russell’s Mercedes, who then clipped Zhou Guanyu, whose car completely flipped and went into the fencing.

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Other drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon were also involved in the accidents at the start, and both picked up damage, having tapped Alex Albon after he spun following his collision with the wall. Eventually, both drivers were given the okay after being examined, and Formula 1 breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Also Read: “Halo saved me today” Zhou Guanyu ‘grateful’ after surviving a horrific crash

Zhou Guanyu: “The Halo saved me today.”

Zhou Guanyu in the accident in the 2022 British Grand Prix
Zhou Guanyu in the accident in the 2022 British Grand Prix

Zhou Guanyu had skidded through the run-off area with his car flipped, before his car dug into the gravel, which launched the car into the fencing at Abbey. It had taken a while to extract the driver from the car, but he was eventually cleared at the medical centre despite being under observation for a few hours.

As reported by PlanetF1, Zhou Guanyu reasurred the fans that he was okay in an Alfa Romeo press release: “It was a big crash and I’m glad I’m okay. The marshals and the medical team at the track were fantastic with their quick response.”

Zhou thanked the FIA for the safety measures implemented in the sport: “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 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.”

The Chinese driver is confident he will get back in the car on Friday for his first time at the Austrian Grand Prix, which is good news for every fan of Formula 1.

Also Read: “We are the ones who take all the risk”: Sergio Perez uses Zhou Guanyu’s example to oppose the idea of a salary cap for F1 racers

Also Read: What is Halo in F1? How did the safety device save the life of Zhou Guanyu at Silverstone?