F1 British Grand Prix 2022: Zhou Guanyu lucky to be alive after horror crash

It is a miracle that no-one was killed at Silverstone after a horrifying crash. Now, one driver has been singled out for his bravery as he ran to the aid of of his fellow racer.

Mercedes driver George Russell has been hailed for his actions following a terrifying accident at the British Grand Prix.

Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu is lucky to have walked away with his life after the incident on the first lap which saw his car flipped over and slam into the barriers at Silverstone.

The race was stopped for an hour as emergency medical crews rushed to the scene, unsure whether all five men behind the wheel involved in two simultaneous first-lap pileups had survived the carnage.

The gravest concern was for rookie Chinese driver Zhou.

WARNING: Graphic crash

Replay pic.twitter.com/IT8oSnKwFz

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) July 3, 2022

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Zhou Guanyu’s car flipped and flew over the barrier. Picture: Fox Sports

Saved only by the protective halo above him - a safety device introduced to open-seat race cars in 2018 - Zhou’s Alfa Romeo spun out of control as it slid across the road and into the gravel before it barrel-rolled over a safety barrier into a metal catch fence.

As soon as the red flag had been shown, instead of returning to the pitlane, Russell stopped his Mercedes and sprinted to the wreckage to check on his rival.

When he got there, Russell found Zhou trapped in his cockpit between the fence and a guard rail.

After some moments of grave concern, the thumbs up came from Russell and a steward before Alfo Romeo confirmed their driver was conscious and largely unhurt.

“It was an incredibly scary incident, not just for him but for everyone in the crowd as well, it’s never nice to see,” Russell said afterwards.

“It was horrible, in that position he was stuck there, nothing he could have done.

“We need to have a think to avoid a car being stuck in such a fine gap – the space between the barriers and the metal fence and he was just stuck in there, nowhere to go. Yeah, something to learn…”

Guanyu’s car slid across the gravel and over the safety barrier. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

Russell later tweeted: “First of all, 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.

“Obviously gutted to end the race this way and I’m sorry for the team and the fans. Cheering LH on from the garage.”

Zhou was conscious when emergency crews finally freed him from the wreckage but was immediately taken by stretcher to the emergency medical centre at the Silverstone circuit.

Television broadcasters did not show a replay of the crash until it was confirmed he was okay - so when it was finally shown again social media went into meltdown at the sheer terror of what had unfolded.

Zhou was later cleared by doctors and released from the facility, and thanks everyone for their well wishes.

“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

Guanyu car ended up in the barriers as the driver was extracted. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

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.”

Sadly for Russell, he was not permitted to restart the race.

“I jumped out of the car to see if Zhou was ok. I saw it was red-flagged straight away. When I came back to the car I couldn’t quite get it started for whatever reason so I ran back to the team to check. I told the marshals to leave the car and when I got back it was on the back of the flatbed. As soon as you get assistance you can’t restart.

“We are trying [to appeal] but they are pretty adamant, the FIA. It’s one of those unique scenarios.”

Onboard do Gasly pic.twitter.com/qrrH9pi0zB

— Samuel Pancher (@SamPancher) July 3, 2022

Fans were quick to hail Russel for his actions and express their disappointment in the FIA.

One Twitter user said: “George Russell was an absolute KING for giving no f***s for the race and jumping out of his car to check on Zhou.”

Taking aim at the sport administrators, one fan wrote: “If the reason @GeorgeRussell63 was not allowed to restart was because he left his vehicle to help Zhou - then the @fia & @F1 - who let’s face it couldn’t be less trusted or less admired - have just flushed the last of their honour & self respect down the toilet.”

IndyCar driver Callum Ilott wrote: “The first time I flipped a go kart, @GeorgeRussell63 stopped on track to lift it off of me. He’s always been a good egg since day 1, great role model for anyone.”

Thai driver Alex Albon was airlifted by helicopter to nearby Coventry hospital after smashing into the concrete pit wall in a separate incident involving Sebastian Vettel, which happened at the same time as Zhou’s crash.Like Zhou, he was conscious when he arrived at the circuit’s medical facility but was transferred to a hospital for precautionary checks but later discharged with a clean bill of health.

The first time I flipped a go kart, @GeorgeRussell63 stopped on track to lift it off of me. He’s always been a good egg since day 1, great role model for anyone👍🏼 https://t.co/XqLwMAJviG

— Callum Ilott (@callum_ilott) July 3, 2022

I’m ok, all clear. Halo saved me today. Thanks everyone for your kind messages! pic.twitter.com/OylxoJC4M0

— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) July 3, 2022

george russell was an absolute KING for giving zero fucks and jumping out of his car to check on zhou pic.twitter.com/6S2We0BMZK

— andy (@iiiuminateandy) July 3, 2022

Sportsmanship at its very best. @GeorgeRussell63 sprinting over to make sure Zhou was OK. Take a bow George! 👏 #SkyF1#SilverstoneGPpic.twitter.com/oIPiBXwTiE

— Arron Potter (@ArronJP91) July 3, 2022

MAIDEN WIN

The Spaniard had never won an F1 race before but broke his duck with an inspired drive in one of the most frantic events of the season, seeing off the challenges from championship leader Max Verstappen and his Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc.

“I don’t know what to say. It’s amazing. First race win, 150 races later, with Ferrari, in Silverstone, I cannot ask for more,” Sainz said.

“I had nerves during the safety card restart, I needed to get it done.

“Silverstone is a special place for me. My very first race win in Formula 3 and 12 years later I get the same result in Formula One. It’s a special result for me.”

Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari and Third placed Lewis Hamilton

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez recovered from falling back to 16th spot early on to finish second while Lewis Hamilton crossed the line third in his Mercedes after a thrilling finish where all the leading contenders were overtaking each other with breathtaking moves.

“I gave it everything,” Hamilton said.

“I was trying to chase down those Ferraris. Congratulations to Carlos, in the end I was in that battle but those guys were just too quick on the straights for us.

“This is a huge bonus for us to be on the podium. I’m glad everyone was safe from the big crash at the beginning. But we are going to continue to push, try and give it everything we can.”

LeClerc finished fourth while Verstappen limped home seventh after nursing his damaged Red Bull through the second half of the race.

After 10 races, the Dutchman leads the championship standings by 34 points with Perez second, Leclerc third and Sainz fourth.

DISAPPOINTED DAN

Other than Sainz, the happiest driver at Silverstone was Mick Schumacher, who registered his first points in F1 after coming home eighth.

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo was never in the hunt in his underperforming McLaren. He took the chequered flag in 13th place with only 14 drivers making it to the end.

“(I had) zero pace,” Riccirado said.

“To be honest it was a little bit like Barcelona where I just didn’t seem to operate at the same level of grip as the cars around me so obviously a little bit confused by that at the moment.

“It’s clear what I felt, the reasons why I’m obviously not sure so hopefully we find some answers because obviously it’s a quick turnaround til Austria.

“Other than that, the positive is I heard the drivers were okay because that was a big one.

“So happy to hear they’re good, especially Zhou.”

Even after the main topic of conversion in the paddock where the team garages are, was the horror crashes on the opening lap, but with a sense of relief that the sport is safer than ever.

Sainz said he didn’t watch a replay of it during the delay because he didn’t want it to distract him, but he saw it straight after the race.

“I was completely shocked. It was incredible the crash and the fact that he came out of it is crazy,” he said.

McLaren's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo endured another tough day

HARD TO WATCH

Perez did watch it straight away and said it was impossible to erase from his memory.

“I was shocked. It’s been a while since we’ve seen an accident like that. It’s hard to see that and delete from your mind and focus on what you have to do,” he said.

“We’ve come a long way but I’m sure there’s still improvements and always good lessons to make sure we learn from this accident.”

There was another scary incident at Silverstone when a group of environmental protestors invaded the track after the red flag was shown.

A small group of protestors - dressed in orange - ran on the track and sat down in the middle of the road before being taken away by security.

An FIA statement read: “We can confirm that after the red flag, several people attempted to enter the track. These people were immediately removed and the matter is now being dealt with by the local authorities.”

Hamilton - also an environmental advocate - praised the protestors when told: “Big up to them,” he said.

“ I love that people are fighting for the planet. So we need more people like them.”

Mercedes later clarified that Hamilton was enduring their right to demonstrate, not their decision to invade the track.

WHERE TO FOR PIASTRI?

Australia’s next budding Formula One star Oscar Piastri could be behind the wheel of an Alpine sooner than expected.

Already tipped as a star in the making after he won the F2 title last year, the 21-year-old is patiently waiting for his chance to join the premier class after signing with Renault-owned Alpine.

The F1 paddock at Silverstone – home of the British Grand Prix – has been buzzing with rumours that Piastri could end up driving for Williams this season, possibly as a replacement for struggling Canadian Nicholas Latifi.

Oscar Piastri could make his F1 debut for Williams. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

But both Alpine and Williams have scoffed at the idea, at least for this season, with Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer saying the young Aussie will do a test drive for Alpine, possibly at the end of next month.

“Oscar will be running in free practice for us but it will be after the break,” Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer said.

Where Piastri ends up driving next year remains unknown. As the reserve driver for Alpine, he is the first pick to replace the team’s two established pilots, Esteban Ocon and double world champion Fernando Alonso if either hangs up the helmet.

But if both drivers opt to go around next year, he could be loaned to Williams, who have made it clear they want him.

“It’s great to have one of our young drivers be wanted by other Formula One teams,” Szafnauer said.

“It just shows that he’s got good potential which we’re aware of.”

Although Williams is keen on the Aussie, team principal Jost Capito says the British outfit is sticking with its current line-up for the rest of the year.

“It’s not the plan to replace either of the two drivers during the season,” he said.