F1 driver emerges from high-speed crash as car torn in half and bursts into flames

World

Formula 1 racing driver Romain Grosjean has survived a high-speed crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix, emerging from his car as it was engulfed in flames after smashing through a barrier.

The 34-year-old hopped out of his car – which was ripped in two – managing to escape after being inside the car while it was on fire for around 20 seconds.

The accident halted the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix on the opening lap, before the Frenchman limped away to an ambulance.

He is now being treated in hospital.

 BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - NOVEMBER 29: A fire is pictured following the crash of Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on November 29, 2020 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Kamran Jebreili - Pool/Getty Images)
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The vehicle was ripped in two
TOPSHOT - Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean's car burns after crashing during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir on November 29, 2020. (Photo by KAMRAN JEBREILI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KAMRAN JEBREILI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

His F1 team Haas tweeted he “has some minor burns on his hands and ankles but otherwise he is ok”.

“He is with the doctors just now,” they added.

An FIA spokesman said the impact of Grosjean’s crash was measured at 53G.

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Stewards and medics attend to Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean (C) after a crash at the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir on November 29, 2020. (Photo by HAMAD I MOHAMMED / POOL / AFP) (Photo by HAMAD I MOHAMMED/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Grosjean limped away from the car following the accident

Replays showed the driver leaping over the barriers and away from the flaming wreckage of his car. He was escorted to an ambulance and appeared to be limping.

TOPSHOT - Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean's car burns after crashing during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir on November 29, 2020. (Photo by KAMRAN JEBREILI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KAMRAN JEBREILI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Medics attend to Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean after the crash
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Medics attend to Haas F1’s French driver Romain Grosjean after the crash

The accident was triggered when the Haas French driver swerved across the front of Daniil Kvyat, making contact with his AlphaTauri.

Lewis Hamilton, who is aiming for his 11th victory of F1 2020, tweeted he was “so grateful Romain is safe”.

Wreckage of Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean's car is removed during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir on November 29, 2020. (Photo by HAMAD I MOHAMMED / POOL / AFP) (Photo by HAMAD I MOHAMMED/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Wreckage of Haas F1’s French driver Romain Grosjean’s car is removed

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - NOVEMBER 29: Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 is pictured being helped into an ambulance after a crash during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on November 29, 2020 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
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The 34-year-old has been taken to hospital

He added: “Wow… the risk we take is no joke, for those of you out there that forget that we put our life on the line for this sport and for what we love to do.”


BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - NOVEMBER 29: A fire is pictured following the crash of Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on November 29, 2020 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said: “Romain is doing okay, I don’t want to make a medical comment but he had light burns on his hands and ankles. Obviously he’s shaken… I want to thank the rescue crews who are very quick. The marshals and FIA people they did a great job, it was scary.”

Track marshals put out the fire
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Track marshals put out the fire

Sky Sports’ Karun Chandhok, a former racing driver, said: “It looks like when the car went through the barriers, the back of the chassis where the engine is mounted, the engine mount has snapped off and ripped off a bit of the chassis and that appears to have pierced the fuel bag.”

Work is under way to repair the significant damage to the trackside barriers where the crash occurred.

The race is expected to restart and there will be a 10 minute warning when Race Control plan to get going again.

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