Romain Grosjean suffered a horrific crash at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, causing the race to be red flagged on the opening lap.
The Haas driver hit the ArmCo barrier on the exit of Turn Three, causing his car to burst into flames.
The race was stopped at once, with the remaining drivers returning to the pit lane, and medical personnel quickly attended to Grosjean.
Fears over French-Swiss’ safety were eased as the driver emerged from the car and could be seen speaking to race medics as the flames on his car were extinguished.
“Romain has some minor burns on his hands and ankles but otherwise he is ok,” Haas confirmed. “He is with the doctors just now.
“As a precaution and for further medical evaluation Romain will be transported to hospital.”
The Frenchman was running towards the back of the field when he veered from left to right to try and overtake, unaware that the AlphaTauri was alongside. The contact speared Grosjean into the ArmCo barrier with the front of his Haas penetrating the metal surface and ripping through it, with a tyre sent flying over it and into the in-field.
The contract resulted in the car being torn into two, with the power unit and complete rear suspension coming apart from the cockpit due to the force in the accident, resulting in the fuel cell being exposed and immediately igniting into a fireball.
Footage captured Grosjean jumping over the barrier as flames surrounded him, having spent a dozen or so seconds in the blaze as he freed himself from the wreckage.
The medical car, which starts at the back of the grid in the event of such accidents taking place, was immediately on the scene, with Dr Ian Roberts rushing to Grosjean’s aid as driver Andy van der Merwe helped the effort to put flames out on his overalls.
FIA race director Michael Masi immediately red flagged the race and brought the cars back to the pits, with extensive barrier repairs being required to the section where Grosjean crashed. An update confirmed that at least 45 minutes would be needed to replace the complete ArmCo section that had been damaged before a full race restart could take place.
