Fire marshals put out a fire on Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean's car during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir - AFP 

MANAMA, AFP: Romain Grosjean escaped from a horrific first-lap crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday when his car split in two and burst into flames.

The French driver’s Haas collided with Daniil Kyvat’s Alpha Tauri on turn three, skewing into a barrier.

Grosjean, 34, was lodged in the front half of his monocoque as it appeared to fly under the barrier, leaving the rear half behind on the edge of the circuit after spinning on impact. His car’s fuel tank was clearly ruptured in the accident, releasing the fuel that ignited in a huge blaze.

The crash came at a service road access point where the driver and medical crew from the circuit Safety Car were on the scene immediately. They helped Grosjean from his car as he leapt over the barrier. A medical official used a fire extinguisher on his race suit as they tackled the blaze and quickly put it out.

A clearly shaken Grosjean, suffering from minor burns, was taken back to the pits by the medical car at the Sakhir Circuit. 

Hass team boss Gunther Steiner told Sky TV: “He’s doing OK. He has light burns on his hands and ankles. Obviously he is shaking and going through all the checks, but he’s fine.”

Hamilton wins crash-hit Bahrain Grand Prix