Alfa Romeo’s driver, Guanyu Zhou, seemed to activate anti-stall while attempting to start from the fifth position on the grid after an impressive qualifying round. As he sought to regain control, he ended up nudging the back of Daniel Ricciardo, who had just returned to the race, while braking into the downhill right-hand Turn 1.
This impact sent the AlphaTauri spiraling into Ocon, causing the rear axle of his Alpine to be thrust into the air. He eventually crash-landed on the sidepod of his teammate, Pierre Gasly.
Gasly, returning to the pits at the conclusion of the first lap, was met with a right-rear tire failure, damage to the rear wing, and a hole in the engine cover bodywork.
He was pulled out of the race before Ocon, who withdrew after the next lap. Ocon, the 2021 Hungarian GP champion, later disclosed that his car seat had split due to the impact of the high altitude collision.
Ocon described the incident, saying, “We were hit hard going into Turn 1. The mistake from Zhou in the back led to a huge impact.
“I was launched, I’m not sure, but maybe three or four meters up on the rear wheels. Upon landing, there was a significant impact.
“My seat shattered into two parts, which shows how severe the impact was.
Photo by: Michael Potts / F1 Flow Images
Pierre Gasly, driving the Alpine A523, returns to the pits with a flat tire.
“Regrettably, both vehicles were unable to continue after that. These are the risks associated with racing from the rear, where drivers tend to be more daring. We were aware of it and paid the price today.
“The good news is that we have another race next week, and we can quickly put this weekend behind us.”
Zhou received a five-second penalty for causing the crash, along with two penalty points on his license. The officials stated that although Zhou’s slow start and subsequent failure to slow down sufficiently when approaching the corner triggered a chain reaction, they usually give some leeway in first lap incidents.
Gasly, who started 15th, expressed his and the team’s disappointment following a strong initial start. He admitted, however, that Alpine was “lacking pace and was not fast enough” throughout the weekend.
Otmar Szafnauer, the team boss, compared the incident to “bowling” into Turn 1. Commenting on Ocon’s broken seat, he added, “They’re lightweight and made of carbon, so they tend to split if they are subjected to the right kind of pressure.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hungary F1 Crash
What happened during the Hungary F1 race involving Ocon?
Ocon’s car was involved in an accident when Guanyu Zhou, trying to recover from a stalled start, hit Daniel Ricciardo’s car. This collision sent Ricciardo’s car into Ocon’s, causing Ocon’s car to be launched into the air and his car seat to break into pieces upon landing.
Who was responsible for the accident?
Guanyu Zhou was held responsible for the collision. He received a five-second penalty and two penalty points added to his license for causing the crash.
What happened to Pierre Gasly?
Pierre Gasly, Ocon’s teammate, was also involved in the accident. His car suffered a right-rear tire failure, damage to the rear wing, and a hole in the engine cover bodywork. He was forced to retire from the race.
What was the outcome of the accident for Ocon?
Ocon’s car was severely damaged, and his seat broke into two parts due to the impact of the crash. He had to withdraw from the race.
How did the team react to the accident?
Team boss Otmar Szafnauer likened the incident to “bowling” into Turn 1 and mentioned that the lightweight, carbon-made seats are prone to splitting under intense pressure. Despite the disappointment, the team is looking forward to the next race.
More about Hungary F1 Crash
- Overview of Formula 1 Crashes
- Formula 1 Penalties Explained
- Brief History of the Hungary F1 Grand Prix
- Alpine F1 Team Profile
- Driver Profile: Esteban Ocon
- Driver Profile: Pierre Gasly
- Driver Profile: Guanyu Zhou
6 comments
Whoa, that was a serious crash, wasn’t it? feel bad for Ocon and Gasly…better luck next time guys!
well that’s what u get when u race at the back. More risk, more crashes, simple as that… racing ain’t for the faint-hearted!
man, F1 can be a rollercoaster sometimes, no doubt. hope Ocon’s doing okay, must’ve been one hell of a shock.
can’t help but think, if Zhou had managed his launch better, none of this would’ve happened. gotta feel for Ricciardo, Ocon and Gasly here.
dang Zhou! gotta be more careful on the grid, man. causing crashes ain’t cool at all
it’s like they say, the race can be over in the blink of an eye. And in this case, it’s literally in the first turn! bad luck for Ocon and Gasly 🙁