Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda has been involved in a horrific crash during qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Japanese driver lost control of his RB21 after clipping a kerb, causing the car to slide sideways before hitting the barriers.
The impact was so severe that Tsunoda's car flipped upside down in a heart-stopping moment for spectators. Fortunately, the vehicle eventually landed the right way up.
The dramatic incident brought an immediate halt to the qualifying session, with officials red-flagging proceedings with 12:13 remaining on the clock.
Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda has been involved in a horrific crash during qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
SKY
In a testament to Formula 1's rigorous safety standards, Tsunoda was able to exit the car unassisted and walk away from the wreckage.
The medical car was immediately deployed to the scene as the incident registered as a significant impact.
Tsunoda was subsequently sent to the medical centre for precautionary checks, following standard protocol after such a substantial crash.
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Grateful to see Yuki Tsunoda walk away from this enormous shunt in Q1#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/hsviPlI66P
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2025
The quick response from track marshals and medical staff highlighted the well-rehearsed emergency procedures in place at F1 circuits.
The qualifying session was temporarily suspended while debris was cleared from the track, with plans to resume once safety conditions were restored.
Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson praised the effectiveness of Formula 1's safety features following the incident.
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"That is a huge off. Everything has done its job - the catch fencing, the run-off area, the Halo, the helmet itself. Wow," Davidson commented.
The halo device, which protects drivers' heads, along with the catch fencing and other safety measures, all performed as designed during Tsunoda's violent impact.
These safety systems have repeatedly proven their worth in recent years, allowing drivers to walk away from accidents that might have had far more serious consequences in earlier eras.
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Following the incident, Tsunoda will start the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix from 20th position on the grid. However, this could change if Red Bull's repairs to the severely damaged RB21 require him to start from the pit lane instead.
Speaking before the race, Tsunoda had already tempered expectations about his performance.
Yuki Tsunoda was able to walk away from the crash unscathed
GETTY
"I don't think it's going to be massive," he said regarding potential performance gains. "I don't think it will make it a suddenly P1 car, the difference we saw in Miami between McLaren is quite big."
The Japanese driver had acknowledged he still needed to fully understand the car's behaviour, noting: "I've just got to focus on that area."
