The Chinese driver’s car overturned before reaching the first corner of the race at Silverstone after an accident with George Russell and Pierre Gasly, and then he was thrown over the safety barriers, being trapped between the protections and the fences that separate to track fans.
The race was immediately red-flagged, while Alexander Albon, Sebastian Vettel, Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon were also affected by another incident as they tried to avoid the crash involving Zhou !
The Alfa Romeo driver was immediately treated by medical teams, who took him out of the car and took him to Silverstone Medical Center, where he was released shortly after.
Zhou confirmed that he was fine and thanked the stewards and the entire medical team for their work, while also crediting the halo for the protection it provided.
“It was a great accident and I’m glad to be okay,” he said via an Alfa Romeo press release.
“The stewards and medical team were fantastic with their quick response, and I also have to thank the FIA and Formula 1 for all the work they have done, and continue to do, to improve the safety of our cars – the halo saved me today. And that shows that every step we take to improve our cars has real and valuable results.”
Having been declared fit by the FIA medical team, Zhou has made it clear that his aim is to return to action immediately, at the next race in Austria next weekend.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on track more than ever and doing what I really like: I’m fit and I’m looking forward to getting to Austria next week.”
Albon , meanwhile, was also taken to Coventry hospital following his accident, from which he was also released shortly after and is fit to race at the Red Bull Ring.