The crashed racing car of Chinese Formula One driver Guanyu Zhou of Alfa Romeo Racing during the Formula One Grand Prix of Britain at the Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain, 03 July 2022. - EPA pic
The crashed racing car of Chinese Formula One driver Guanyu Zhou of Alfa Romeo Racing during the Formula One Grand Prix of Britain at the Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain, 03 July 2022. - EPA pic

SILVERSTONE, United Kingdom: The British Grand Prix was red-flagged after a horror opening-corner multi-car smash at Silverstone on Sunday, with Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo flipped upside down and hurtling over the barrier.

As Max Verstappen pipped pole sitter Carlos Sainz to the first corner there was "carnage" behind with marshalls rushing to Zhou trapped in his stricken car.

George Russell's Mercedes, Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri) and the Williams of Alex Albon were also involved.

A specialist crew attended Zhou who was safely lifted out from his car and carried on a stretcher to an ambulance to take him to the medical centre.

Chinese Formula One driver Guanyu Zhou of Alfa Romeo Racing crashes during the Formula One Grand Prix of Britain at the Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain, 03 July 2022. - EPA pic
Chinese Formula One driver Guanyu Zhou of Alfa Romeo Racing crashes during the Formula One Grand Prix of Britain at the Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain, 03 July 2022. - EPA pic

An FIA statement later announced the Chinese driver and Albon were conscious and being evaluated at the medical centre, prompting cheers from the grandstand.

"We are told driver is okay. Zhou is okay," Valtteri Bottas, his Alfa Romeo teammate, was told over the team radio.

British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 3, 2022Alfa Romeo's Guanyu Zhou and Mercedes' George Russell crash out at the start of the race - REUTERS pic
British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 3, 2022Alfa Romeo's Guanyu Zhou and Mercedes' George Russell crash out at the start of the race - REUTERS pic

The roadworthy members of the grid returned to the pits to wait for the re-start.

"Carnage at turn one and sadly Alex is out," tweeted Williams. -- AFP