Romain Grosjean miraculously survives horrific Bahrain GP lap one fireball crash

Bahrain Grand Prix

Grosjean miraculously survives horrific Bahrain GP lap one fireball crash

Grosjean's Haas split into two after being caught in the barrier

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Sunday 29 November 2020 15:28 Updated: 16:33

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[updated with Guenther Steiner quotes]

Haas driver Romain Grosjean has miraculously escaped one of the worst accidents seen in Formula 1 for many years.

On the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Frenchman's Haas emerged out of turn two and he immediately steered to the right.

Article continues under video

Grosjean then hit a metal retaining barrier on the inside of the exit to turn three after contact with Daniil Kvyat, with his car erupting into flames on impact as the car was ripped in half.

The medical car, including Dr Ian Roberts and driver Alan van der Merwe, was rapidly on the scene and, assisted by the marshals, they were able to pull Grosjean away from the burning wreckage of his car.

Van der Merwe was seen brandishing a fire extinguisher.

Grosjean, who was later taken by helicopter to the BDF MC Military Hospital for evaluation, has sustained minor burns to his hands and ankles and suspected broken rib/s, but is otherwise okay, according to the team.

The race was naturally red-flagged, with an extended delay expected to repair the barriers at the scene of the incident.

Team principal Guenther Steiner said: "The latest I have got is that he is doing okay. He had light burns around his hands and his ankles.

"Obviously, he is shaking and he is going through all the checks as you have to after an accident like this but he is conscious, he is fine but I haven't had any direct contact with him, just with the people there, so he seems okay.

"I want to thank the rescue crews who were very quick. I didn't see who it was yet but the marshalls and the FIA did a great job because it is scary."

Asked whether the halo had helped save his life, Steiner added: "Absolutely. We see what is going on out there. We see the barrier, it is unbelievable.

"We were lucky by being unlucky. I prefer that luck than any racing luck. He seems to be doing good, hopefully, there is nothing coming. He got away with it I think.

As to the cause, Steiner said: "It looked like he was just moving across and went over the front wheel and just went full speed into the barrier. That's what it looks to me.

"I have only seen the footage you have seen, I haven't seen any more. As long as he is good that is the most important."