Zhou Guanyu confirms Austria participation, just days after surviving horrific F1 crash

Zhou Guanyu is set to return to his Alfa Romeo cockpit at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix - just five days after he was involved in one of the most spectacular crashes in recent memory.

The 23-year-old Chinese rookie revealed he is "keener than ever" to get back behind the wheel of his Formula 1 machine after he emerged unscathed from a horrendous opening-corner accident at Silverstone.

Zhou ended up trapped between a steel barrier and metal catch fencing after he was flipped upside down and out of control at 260km/h.

But after he was extracted from his wrecked car and taken to the on-track medical centre, Zhou was declared medically fit by the FIA. It is not anticipated that he will have to undergo additional tests to prove he is ready to race next weekend.

"Hi everyone, and thank you for all the kind messages," Zhou tweeted on Monday. "I want to thank the marshals and the medical team at Silverstone - they were really fantastic. I'm keener than ever to get back on track. See you guys in Austria."

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I’m ok, all clear. Halo saved me today. Thanks everyone for your kind messages! pic.twitter.com/OylxoJC4M0

Numerous videos posted to social media by shocked fans in the Abbey grandstand captured the full force of the jaw-dropping accident.

Zhou's shunt marked an explosive start to the Silverstone race, which also saw five people storm the track. It is understood the protesters, from the Just Stop Oil group, were regular ticket holders.

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