- After Monza and the Monaco Grand Prix, Silverstone is the circuit with the most presence in Formula 1 races in history.
- Among drivers, through 2021, Lewis Hamilton was by far the highest paid, with a salary of $55 million and projected earnings of $62 million.
- He was followed by Max Verstappen (42 million), Fernando Alonso (25 million) and Sergio Pérez (18 million).
After the accident this Sunday at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou spoke.
The Chinese driver was the protagonist of a tremendous accident that forced the relaunch of the race in which Carlos Sainz Jr.’s Ferrari finally triumphed and Checho Pérez finished second.
“The halo saved my life, without hesitation. This shows that every step we take to improve our cars gives good, real and valuable results”, said the 23-year-old Chinese in a statement released to the media on Monday, July 4, by the Italian team.
Zhou was the most affected by a brutal accident at the beginning of the race in the traditional Silverstone circuit, when a brush with the British George Russell (from the Mercedes team) caused the car to overturn.
The Alfa Romeo avoided a first tire contention and hit a guardrail. Many feared the worst.
“The post commissioners and the medical teams did a great job, they responded very quickly. I also want to offer my thanks to the FIA and Formula 1 for the great job they did,” said the Shanghai-born.
What is the halo that saved Zhou
The halo is a safety mechanism used in the new Formula 1 cars that protects the cockpit where the drivers are located from potential blows from external forceful objects.
The design was implemented in the world’s most important category of automobiles in 2018 and has since proven to be effective.
Before, the halo saved drivers like Romain Grosjean and Lewis Hamilton, by case.
🏁 Chinese pilot Guanyu #Zhoufrom the Alfa Romeo team, was involved in an impressive accident this morning at the start of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, held at Silverstone.#GPGreatBritain pic.twitter.com/dHC9APYcE7
– The Economist (@ElEconomista_) July 3, 2022
The Chinese Alfa Romeo driver said he wants to be present at the next Formula 1 race, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, in Austria, on Sunday, July 10, where Checo Pérez’s team will be local.
“I have the intention and more desire than ever to be back on the track and do what I like. I want to be in Austria next week.” Zhou said.
Today, without exaggeration, we could have lost two drivers if not for the halo. In the morning, Roy Nissany. In the afternoon, Guanyu Zhou when the entire anti-tip system failed.
We applaud its invention and its effectiveness, but we cannot relax. You have to go for more security. pic.twitter.com/HTaDPRawu5
– Victor Abad (@victorabadf1) July 3, 2022
In addition, another Formula 1 driver was injured in the accident at Silverstone this Sunday: the Thai Alexander Albon, of Williams. Just like Zhou, he is fine. He only suffered a strong blow to his right arm.
From any angle, Guanyu Zhou’s accident is tremendous. But from this perspective uff, my stomach turns.#Formula 1 #SilverstoneGP #BritishGPpic.twitter.com/l7HfPPrS3J
– Franco Dari (@Francodari325) July 3, 2022
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