Red Bull star Tsunoda in horror 150mph crash at Imola GP qualifying as car flips and smashes into cage metres from fans
YUKI TSUNODA has walked away unscathed from a terrifying crash at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver was going over 150mph when he smashed hard into the wall during Saturday's qualifying at Imola.
Tsunoda clipped the kerb at Turn 5 and rolled his Red Bull upside down onto the gravel.
After a violent spin, the car crashed hard into the wall just metres from the watching crowd.
The 25-year-old was seen walking away from the wreck under his own steam.
Tsunoda was immediately assessed in the medical van but appeared to avoid any significant injury.
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The Q1 session was immediately red-flagged with 12:13 left on the clock.
F1 cars are fitted with the halo safety device, which helps protect a driver's head if the car flips.
Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson was relieved everything had "done its job" to protect Tsunoda.
He said on commentary: "That is a huge off. Everything has done its job.
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"The catch fencing, the run-off area, the Halo, the helmet itself. Wow."
Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson as world champion Max Verstappen's team-mate just two drives into the season.
Lawson was heard on team radio after the incident gasping: "Oh my god! I just saw the video. Is he OK?"
Red Bull chiefs dumped Lawson for Tsunoda after he failed to get to grips with the RB21 during the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.
Last month, Tsunoda caused huge damage to his Red Bull at the Saudi Grand Prix after a crash in practice.
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THE new Formula One season is well underway - and one team appear to be running away with it.
A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen's recent dominance.
The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.
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SEASON SO FAR
F1 legend Ayrton Senna was killed at Imola in a high-speed crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Once racing got underway again on Saturday, Alpine's Franco Colapinto was also involved in an accident during his first appearance for the team.
Colapinto was only promoted to full-time driver on May 7 after Jack Doohan was dropped.
The 21-year-old's Alpine looked in a bad way after the impact at the exit of Tamburello - but like Tsunoda was able to walk away.