WATCH: Throwback to Fernando Alonso's devastating crash with Lance Stroll which launched him up in the air

As Formula 1 fans gear up for the 2024 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), memories of one of the most dramatic incidents in recent years are still fresh in the minds of many. Back in 2022, a high-speed crash between Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll left spectators gasping, as Alonso's car was briefly sent airborne after a fierce battle for position.

The incident unfolded during a safety car restart on lap 22, with Alonso and Stroll tussling for seventh place on COTA's long back straight. Alonso, chasing down Stroll, pulled out of the Canadian’s slipstream and prepared to overtake.

Here is the video:

A wheelie scary moment for Fernando Alonso 😱#F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/LdiwzWhZY7

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 17, 2023

However, in a split second, everything changed. Stroll made a late defensive move, seemingly reacting to Alonso’s manoeuvre. The two drivers collided with immense force, sending Alonso’s Alpine flying briefly into the air and slamming into the wall, while Stroll spun off and retired from the race due to severe damage.

Fernando Alonso survived the crash!

Amazingly, despite the heavy impact, Fernando Alonso’s Alpine survived the collision, and the Spaniard managed to finish the race in an unexpected seventh place. The survival of Alonso’s car, despite the violent crash, became one of the most talked-about points of the race, as fans marvelled at the durability of the machinery and Alonso’s skill in recovering from such an incident.

Stroll, on the other hand, wasn’t as fortunate. His Aston Martin was left in pieces, and he was forced to retire on the spot. In the immediate aftermath, the Canadian driver felt the crash wasn’t as straightforward as it appeared. He argued that Alonso left little room during his overtaking attempt, suggesting that both drivers shared some responsibility for the collision.

However, following a post-race investigation by the FIA stewards, Stroll was handed a three-place grid penalty for the following race in Mexico City. The stewards ruled that his late defensive move had played a significant role in causing the collision, leading to widespread debate among fans and analysts alike.