Romain Grosjean– The 34-year-old managed to scramble away from huge flames engulfing his car following the dramatic 140mph accident.
The following written content from Sky News
The 34-year-old managed to scramble away from huge flames engulfing his car following the dramatic 140mph accident.
Romain Grosjean has said the controversial Halo safety device saved his life after he escaped a dramatic high-speed crash.
The driver spoke from his hospital bed just hours after surviving the most dramatic accident in recent Formula One history during Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 34-year-old’s car split in two and burst into flames after he pierced through a steel barrier at 140mph following a collision with AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat.
The French driver scrambled to get out of his burning wreckage for almost half a minute before leaping to safety.
Despite the force of the impact registering at 53G, Grosjean escaped with just minor burns to his hands.
And the Halo device – a three-pronged titanium protection bar which sits above drivers’ heads and was introduced in 2018 – played a significant role in the Frenchman’s remarkable survival.
Grosjean said he had been sceptical about its introduction, but had since changed his mind.
“I wasn’t for the Halo some years ago but I think it’s the greatest thing that we brought to Formula One and without it I wouldn’t be able to speak to you today,” he said.
The Halo was made mandatory in all races under Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, from 2018.
Constructed out of titanium – which has a low density but high strength – it involves a bar that surrounds the driver’s head and is connected by three points to the vehicle frame.
It initially faced criticism from some including late former F1 champion Niki Lauda, who said it “destroys the DNA” of the race cars, and fans who suggested it was visually unappealing. Read more from Sky News.
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