‘I don’t know how I survived’: Zhou Guanyu feared fire after horror British GP crash

Chinese driver admits he feared his car would catch fire as he lay trapped amid the wreckage after horror accident at Silverstone but credits Halo device with saving life

Terrifying: Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu slides towards the barrier after a collision at the start of the race during the British Grand Prix 2022 at Silverstone, Towcester. Pic: PA Wire

Zhou Guanyu, the driver who endured an enormous crash at last Sunday’s British Grand Prix, has said he finds it hard to believe he survived the incident. Speaking about what happened at Silverstone for the first time, Zhou admitted he feared his car would catch fire as he lay trapped amid the wreckage.

The 23-year-old, who is the first Chinese driver in Formula One and in his rookie season in the sport, was speaking before this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring and once more paid tribute to the halo cockpit protection device. “I don’t know how I survived,” he said. “But then looking back obviously I saw the halo saved me.” That Zhou survived such a horrific high-speed crash was testament to the safety of modern cars. At turn one on the opening lap there was a multi-car accident in which Zhou’s Alfa Romeo was clipped by George Russell’s Mercedes. It flipped the Alfa Romeo over upon first impact with the track, crushing the roll hoop above the driver’s head. The car then continued hurtling upside down at high speed across the gravel trap, repeatedly smashing the halo against the ground.