Canadian GP Free Practice

F1 star triggers EMBARRASSING repeat red flag

The first dry running of the weekend had barely got under way when the session was stopped

Rhys Thomas

Saturday 8 June 2024 19:02 Updated: 19:28

Zhou Guanyu brought out the red flag for the second day in a row after spinning out of FP3 between turn one and two at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Stake F1 Team driver crashed out of Friday's FP1 session after hitting the barrier, and despite a more subtle contact with the wall on this occasion, he again could not get the car moving.

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With his car stranded on the grass beside the pit exit at the second corner, marshals waved the red flag and the session was halted after less than 10 minutes.

It did not take long for the session to be resumed with the car in a convenient position to recover and the barrier not badly damaged, but Zhou's running was further limited by his error.

Zhou Guanyu crashed out of FP3 at the Canadian Grand Prix

Neither Stake F1 driver has scored points in 2024

What happened to Zhou Guanyu?

Zhou's incident at the first corner appeared embarrassingly clumsy. On the radio, however, the Chinese driver appeared to indicate the car was to blame.

"I have no idea what's happening with the car," he complained. "The car is so strange man. It just locks up all the rears."

Later in the session, Zhou was back in the garage watching on. Having already had limited meaningful running all weekend thanks to his FP1 crash and wet weather, the 25-year-old will be poorly prepared for qualifying.

Red flag! 🔴

It's Zhou again!

This time the Sauber drops it on the exit of T1, spinning into the barriers and halting the session 🙁#F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/TWD6THdpJH
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 8, 2024

Whilst Zhou was left unable to set a representative time on dry tyres, the rest of the drivers' practice programmes were only disrupted for a matter of minutes before the green flag was waved again.

Both Zhou and team-mate Valtteri Bottas are still looking for their first points of 2024.

Canadian Grand Prix Zhou Guanyu red flag Stake F1 Team