Manama (Bahrain): Formula One driver Romain Grosjean appeared to escape with minor burns after his car crashed and burst into flames moments after the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 34-year-old French driver slid off the track on the first lap and his Haas car burst into flames after being sliced in two by a barrier.
Grosjean clambered out with the fire roaring behind him and his race helmet singed.
Governing body FIA said Grosjean is stable and was taken by helicopter to a military hospital.
Grosjean was stuck inside the flaming wreck for nearly 10 seconds before somehow finding a way out.
Race footage showed safety officials reaching the car immediately but with Grosjean still trapped inside.
He managed to find a way out and jumped through the flames and gripped the extremely hot metal barrier as he jumped over back onto the track, shaking his hands in agony before being helped by the stewards.
Moments later, Grosjean was shown on television chatting with the race doctor in the medical car.
Grosjean was then helped out of the car and into an ambulance. He appeared to be shaken but did not immediately seem injured other than a slight limp.
Drivers and team members stood and applauded as they saw the images of Grosjean climbing over the barrier to safety and being sprayed with a fire extinguisher.
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton won the crash-marred Bahrain Grand Prix after the race restarted about 1 1/2 hours later.
