Jean Todt on Zhou’s crash

The Alfa Romeo car driven by Zhou overturned after colliding with George Russell’s Mercedes and rolled on its roof to the barriers – where the car was thrown into the air and flung onto a metal mesh fence.

It is believed that had it not been for the halo safety cage, which took all the weight as the car slid into an upside-down position, Zhou could have at least sustained very serious injuries. The accident could also well have been fatal.

It was Todt who was behind the program to introduce the halo system into Formula One and the formulaic series as a whole under the auspices of the FIA. Todt pushed through the change despite the opposition of many teams and drivers.

If you were ever in doubt about the speed and forces involved in F1. This was the state of the Silverstone tarmac after Zhou Guanyu's accident. Carved out a trench 😳

(via @craigslatersky) pic.twitter.com/iBpuZzbe0I

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) July 4, 2022

I am glad that I decided to follow my convictions and despite strong opposition from the opposition I pushed for the introduction of the halo,” said Todt.