Winner Sainz says Halo helped to save life
the gravel at high speed with sparks flying before he slammed into the tyre barrier, and was launched into the catch fencing. Fans and photographers ducked for cover with Zhou’s Alfa Romeo then lodged on its side.
As the red flags were deployed, an extraction team rushed to Zhou, but minutes passed without update as the television cameras cut away from the scene of the accident.
The 23-year-old was carefully removed from his terrifying ordeal, and taken away in an ambulance to the medical centre. Remarkably, just one hour and 45 minutes later, Zhou was declared as “fit” before returning to the paddock.
He tweeted: “I’m OK, all clear. Halo saved me today. Thanks everyone for your kind messages.”
“First of all, I took the decision not to see the accident,” said Sainz. “When the red flag happened I knew there must have been a big shunt but I didn’t watch the TV.
“I was incredibly happy to see Zhou come out of the car without major issues, and when I saw what happened after the race I was completely shocked. It was incredible. The fact he came out of it is crazy.
“We sometimes criticise the FIA but you have to give it to them how much they have helped us, and the accident in Formula Two, too.”
The race was suspended for nearly an hour – with Sainz, who earlier surrendered his lead to Max Verstappen and team-mate Charles Leclerc, blitzing a 10-lap dash to the chequered flag following a late safety car period on fresh rubber to win.
Leclerc, on old tyres, fell from first to fourth. Verstappen leads Perez by 34 points in the standings, with Leclerc a further nine back.