F1 star Zhou Guanyu 'conscious and talking' after terrifying 160mph crash at British Grand Prix

Zhou Guanyu is conscious and has been taken to Silverstone‘s medical centre after suffering a 160mph crash during the opening lap of the 2022 British Grand Prix.

The Alfa Romeo driver’s car flipped and continued to spiral away from the track upside down, before flipping again over a tyre barrier and close to spectators on Turn 1.

His teammate Valtteri Bottas was told on the team radio “he’s talking, there are no fractures and considering the circumstances he is OK”. Alex Albon also crashed his Williams into the wall.

A spokesperson for Formula One’s governing body said: “The FIA advises that following the start of the race, emergency crews were immediately in attendance and the drivers of Car 23 (Albon) and Car 24 (Zhou) have been taken to the medical centre.

“Both drivers were conscious and will be evaluated at the medical centre. Further updates will be given in due course.”

Meanwhile, pictures also emerged on social media of protestors storming the Northamptonshire circuit on the opening lap.

The race was immediately red flagged following the crash, as medical staff attended to the Chinese driver. He was taken away in an ambulance after being helped from the car.

British driver Russell, who was caught up in the incident, was spotted leaving his car and running away from the track, towards the barriers. He was ruled out of the race after stopping to check on Zhou, even though Mercedes argued he was still able to race.

Replays suggest Yuki Tsunoda clipped Russell’s rear-left tyre, which caused the Mercedes driver to slam into Zhou, upending the Alfa Romeo. It also appeared as though Zhou’s protective roll hoop was crushed during the incident.

All cars were sent back into the garages, with Max Verstappen leading the race after less than one lap. Verstappen successfully jumped pole sitter Carlos Sainz to snatch the lead, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton worked his way up into third.

However, because the race was red flagged before the first sector of Lap 1 could be complete, Sainz was reinstalled as the race leader for the restart.

Speaking to Sky Sports after having his exit from the race confirmed, Russell explained the decision to start on hard tyres left him with little control of his Mercedes.

“I’m glad to see Zhou is doing OK after an absolutely horrific incident,” Russell said.

“We thought that risk gave us the best opportunity later in the race but there was just no grip out there. I got swamped by the other cars. Next thing I know I got touched and was beside Zhou, and that’s it.

“I jumped out of the car to see if Zhou was OK as it was red flagged straight away. I came back to the car but couldn’t get it started, so I went to the team and told the marshals to leave the car. But they towed it away. And as soon as you get assistance you can’t get it back. The car had a puncture.

“We’re trying to appeal but the FIA are pretty adamant. It’s one of those unique scenarios. I can’t really think about it at the moment.”