F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda in horror scene as car flips into cage at 240km/h

Formula 1 has been rocked after a star driver was flipped upside down at 240km/h in a terrifying incident at the Italian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda has walked away unscathed from a terrifying crash at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver was going over 240km/h when he smashed hard into the wall during Saturday night’s qualifying at Imola.

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Tsunoda clipped the kerb at Turn 5 and rolled his Red Bull upside down onto the gravel.

After a violent spin, the car crashed hard into the wall just metres from the watching crowd.

The 25-year-old was seen walking away from the wreck under his own steam, The Sun reports.

You can watch the incident in the video player above.

Yuki Tsunoda slid in at 240km/h. Photo: X.

Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull scattered debris everywhere. Photo: Fox Sports.

Tsunoda was immediately assessed in the medical van but appeared to avoid any significant injury.

The Q1 session was immediately red-flagged with 12:13 left on the clock.

When qualifying resumed it was Oscar Piastri that reigned supreme, despite having his final flying lap in Q3 compromised.

F1 cars are fitted with the halo safety device, which helps protect a driver’s head if the car flips.

Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson was relieved everything had “done its job” to protect Tsunoda.

He said on commentary: “That is a huge off. Everything has done its job.

“The catch fencing, the run-off area, the Halo, the helmet itself. Wow.”

Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson as world champion Max Verstappen’s teammate just two drives into the season.

Lawson was heard on team radio after the incident gasping: “Oh my god! I just saw the video. Is he OK?”

Yuki Tsunoda of Japan. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull was parked in the dirt.

Red Bull chiefs dumped Lawson for Tsunoda after he failed to get to grips with the RB21 during the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.

Last month, Tsunoda caused huge damage to his Red Bull at the Saudi Grand Prix after a crash in practice.

Once racing got underway again on Saturday, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto was also involved in an accident during his first appearance for the team.

Colapinto was only promoted to full-time driver on May 7 after Jack Doohan was dropped.

The 21-year-old’s Alpine looked in a bad way after the impact at the exit of Tamburello - but like Tsunoda was able to walk away.

— This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission

Originally published as F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda in horror scene as car flips into cage at 240km/h