Formula 1 driver Alex Albon has thanked medical staff after being airlifted to hospital after a crash at the British Grand Prix.

The former Nayland schoolboy was involved in an incident on the opening lap of the race. 

London-born Albon, who went to Littlegarth School as a youngster, was transferred by helicopter to Coventry Hospital for precautionary checks.

The race had been red flagged after a series of crashes on lap one. 

A Tweet shared on the Williams Racing said: "We are pleased to confirm that Alex has been given the all clear and has been discharged from Coventry Hospital. Thank you to everyone for your well wishes."

In the message Alex added: "I'm very glad that everyone else involved in the first lap incident is okay. 

"Thank you to all the medical staff at the track and Coventry Hospital. 

"It is a shame our race ended before it began, but we are already fully focused on Austria. Bring on the next one." 

The crash had seen Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu escape serious injury after his car flipped upside down and slammed into the catch fencing in front of thousands of shocked fans.

The Formula One rookie was approaching the 160mph opening Abbey corner when British driver George Russell tagged the right rear of Zhou’s machine, sending him on to his roof and sliding out of control.

Upside down, Zhou continued through the gravel before he slammed into the tyre barrier and was launched into the fencing.

 

Zhou’s Alfa Romeo was lodged on its side, between the tyre wall and the fencing, with nearby fans and photographers ducking for cover following the impact.

An extraction team rushed to Zhou and the 23-year-old Chinese driver, in just his 10th race, was carefully removed and taken away in an ambulance to the medical centre.

Russell was also seen dashing to check on his friend, the Williams driver Albon who was also caught up in the accident, and then Zhou’s condition.