10 – Alonso & Leclerc Belgium 2018
This 2018 crash at the Belgian Grand Prix is the first on this list. On the opening lap at the tight La Source hairpin, Alonso’s car rode up and over Leclerc’s, getting airborne. Later investigation by the FIA showed that the HALO device protected Leclerc’s head from Alonso’s airborne Ferrari.
9 – Kevin Magnussen Belgium 2016
During the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen lost control while exiting Raidillon at high speed, causing his Renault to crash into the barriers. Despite the severity of the impact, Magnussen emerged unscathed.
8 – Max Verstappen Monaco 2015
In the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix, Max Verstappen faced a heart-stopping incident when he crashed with Romain Grosjean, causing his Toro Rosso to go airborne and crash nose-first into the tyre wall at Sainte Devote. Although he was winded and shaken, he emerged unharmed..
7 – Carlos Sainz Russia 2015
Carlos Sainz Jr. encountered a frightening high-speed accident in the 2015 Russian Grand Prix while racing for Toro Rosso. Unfortunately, he lost control of his vehicle while braking after a long straight, hitting the barriers on the left side of the track before a head-on collision with additional barriers. Despite being stretchered off, he thankfully emerged from the incident without any injuries.
6 – Mick Schumacher Saudi Arabia 2022
Mick Schumacher’s time in F1 with HAAS was marred by several significant crashes, with the most notable being his accident during the 2022 Saudi Arabian GP qualifying session. The German driver veered slightly off track at a corner exit, hit a kerb, and careened back onto the track into a concrete barrier. Despite the barrier winning and the HAAS being wrecked, Mick thankfully made a recovery.
5 – Max Verstappen Silverstone 2021
In the epic 2021 Formula 1 World Championship showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen, a pivotal moment was their collision at the British Grand Prix. Lewis attempted to pass Max on the inside at the high-speed Copse corner, but he ran wide. The cars touched, with Lewis hitting Max’s rear wheel. This caused Verstappen to spin at high speed across the track, through the gravel, and into the barriers. Fortunately, Max escaped unharmed but was understandably displeased.
4 – Marcus Ericsson Italy 2018
At the 2018 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Marcus Ericsson experienced a high-speed crash during practice. The failure of his DRS caused him to veer off course while braking, leading to a collision with the barriers and a subsequent rollover four times. Despite the crash’s intensity, Ericsson emerged unscathed, highlighting the significance of safety improvements in the sport.
3 – Fernando Alonso Australia 2016
In the 2016 Australian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso experienced a terrifying crash when his McLaren flipped following a collision with Esteban Gutiérrez. Thankfully, both drivers emerged unharmed.
2 – Zhou Guanyu Silverstone 2022
After Max’s crash at Silverstone in 2021, an even more devastating accident occurred at the British Grand Prix the following year.
During the race’s beginning, Zhou Guanyu’s Alfa Romeo collided with Gasly and Russell, causing Zhou’s car to flip upside down and slide in the opposite direction for a considerable distance. The gravel trap sent his car airborne over the barriers, eventually coming to a stop against the fencing.Fortunately, Guanyu escaped unharmed, undoubtedly due to the HALO system protecting him.
1 – Romain Grosjean Bahrain 2020
Undoubtedly, one of the most severe F1 accidents in the past decade was Romain Grosjean’s terrifying crash during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, ranking among the worst Formula 1 crashes ever witnessed. Here’s a summary of the events:
Following a collision with another car on the race’s opening lap, Grosjean’s HAAS veered off to the left and collided with an armco barrier.The impact tore the race car in two; while the rear portion remained on the track, the front section, containing the cockpit and the driver, punctured the barrier and caught fire.
Despite the swift arrival of rescue teams, the severity of the crash and ensuing fireball left little hope for survival.
Miraculously, images captured Grosjean emerging from the flames, pulling himself over the barrier with the aid of a medic. His survival was nothing short of a miracle, as he only sustained burns to his hands.Grosjean recounted that his foot had been stuck, but by exerting great force, he managed to free himself by sliding off his boot. A truly remarkable escape.
