Silverstone Undergoes Changes After Zhou Guanyu's Horrific British Grand Prix Crash
The Managing Director of Silverstone, home to the British Grand Prix, has confirmed big changes have been made after Zhou Guanyu's horrific crash at the event in 2022.
The 2022 British Grand Prix started with a shocking incident that sent Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu flipping his car after a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell and AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly. In response, the Silverstone Circuit and the FIA have taken action to ensure the safety of drivers in future races.
Changes to the Roll Hoop
Guanyu's car flipped after making contact with Russell's Mercedes at Turn 1 and then skated across the asphalt before digging into the gravel trap. The incident caused the rookie's Alfa Romeo to fly up into the air, clearing the tyre barrier and becoming temporarily stuck between the barrier and the catch fencing.
While Guanyu thankfully escaped injury, the FIA has improved crash testing for the roll hoop this season to reduce the likelihood of it digging in. The revised homologation test has been carried out by reducing the height at which it will be applied. Further modifications to the structure are expected for 2024.
Modifications to the First-Corner Run-Off
Silverstone Circuit has also made major modifications to the first-corner run-off area to prevent cars from digging in. The approximately 45-meter deep gravel bed has been replaced with a larger section of asphalt.
Silverstone Managing Director Stuart Pringle explained what has been done at the track to further improve the safety. He said:
"We've done a load of work this winter. There's a big piece of asphalt out the front rather than the gravel. This is to stop them digging in.
"It's the digging in bit that was the real issue there."