Zhou: How did I survive?

ZHOU GUanyU has spoken for the first time about his horrifying crash at Silverstone on Sunday, admitting he does not know how he survived it.

The Chinese driver went flying off on the opening corner upside down, leaving a streak of golden sparks as he hit the tyre wall and bounced into the catch fence before being trapped between the two barriers.

Spectators in the abbey grandstand — members and guests of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, who own the circuit — ducked for cover from flying debris, or worse.

Zhou, 23, was cut out of his alfa Romeo and miraculously

escaped practically unharmed, but not before fearing he might go up in flames.

‘Once I stopped I didn’t know where I was because I was upside down,’ said Zhou yesterday. ‘ The next thing I felt was some leaking. I wasn’t sure if it was from my body or the car, so I just tried to switch off the engine. I knew that if a fire started it would be difficult to get out. I don’t know how I survived. I don’t think you get much bigger than that.’

Zhou is delighted to be straight back in action at this weekend’s austrian Grand Prix, so that he doesn’t replay the 160mph accident over and over in his mind.

Lewis Hamilton, who so opposed the introduction of the titanium halo that sits above a driver’s head and which Zhou credits for sparing him, has changed his mind four years on. The seven-time world champion said: ‘It also saved my life last year (at Monza).

‘ There are still areas to improve — a car getting stuck behind a barrier, and a driver getting stuck in the cockpit. It’s a reminder that this is a dangerous sport.’

Qualifying takes place today, with a sprint race tomorrow.