Zhou escapes 'major injuries' after serious crash that red-flagged British GP

The 2022 F1 British Grand Prix was red-flagged after a serious accident involving Zhou Guanyu on the opening lap.
Guanyu Zhou (CHN)
Guanyu Zhou (CHN)

Zhou was caught up in a multi-car collision involving Mercedes' George Russell and Pierre Gasly's AlphaTauri and ended up flipping upside down before hitting the barriers at Abbey. 

The incident occured after Gasly's car became pincered inbetween Zhou and Russell, which in turn sent Russell into the side of Zhou who went straight on at Turn 1 at high-speed. 

Russell was seen running over to the scene of the accident to try and help Zhou, whose car ended up barrel rolling over the tyre barriers and into the catch fencing. 

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 crashed at the start of the race, rushes to check the condition of Guanyu Zhou
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 crashed at the start of the race,…

Zhou was extracted from his car on a stretcher but was moving, while Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur told Sky that Zhou remained conscious throughout. 

Zhou was taken to the medical centre by emergency crews, the FIA confirmed. He was conscious upon arrival and had “no major injuries,” Alfa Romeo confirmed.

He was later “declared fit” by the FIA and released from the medical centre.

"I'm OK, all clear," Zhou later posted. "Halo saved me today. Thanks everyone for your kind messages."

The Alfa Romeo F1 Team C42 of Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team after he crashed at the start of the race. Formula 1
The Alfa Romeo F1 Team C42 of Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team after…

Russell posted on social media: "The most important thing is that Zhou is OK. That was a scary incident and all credit to the marshals and medical team for their quick response."

In a seperate incident, Alex Albon was pitched into the pit wall after being hit from behind by Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel as the field tried to avoid the carnage ahead.  

AlphaTauri's AlphaTauri and Esteban Ocon were also caught up in the secondary melee and picked up damage to their cars. 

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, the pole-sitter, eventually won an absorbing race after it was restarted.

He was joined on the podium by Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

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