Connor Zilisch shocked Formula 1 fans when he fell from his vehicle in a dramatic way. The incident happened in Victory Lane, right after he won the Watkins Glen Xfinity Series. The young driver hit the ground abruptly and medical staff attended to him immediately.
What should have been a big celebration turned into a tense moment for the crowd. On Tuesday, Zilisch gave a health update and sent a message to his fans.
A mishap that could change the rules
According to The Sports Rush, the accident occurred when he tried to exit his car through the window. Zilisch lost his footing, slipped, and hit the pavement hard. He remained unconscious for several minutes before doctors attended to him.
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He said: “I was talking to the doctors and told them, ‘I’m fine. I’m good. My shoulder hurts a bit, but that’s it. I’m fine.’ Apparently, the first real words out of my mouth were, ‘God, everyone’s going to think I’m a p**y.’ I was like, ‘Why am I on a stretcher right now? I feel fine.’ I didn’t realize what had happened.”*
This could be the last time a driver uses this move to exit the car in celebration. After the crash, officials are considering banning it due to the risk.
On Instagram, the 19-year-old driver posted a photo wearing a shoulder brace, describing his current condition and how he has felt since the incident.
Now that I know I’ll be alright, it’s gonna be tough to make a comeback from this generational aura debt. Dang, at least I won😂 https://t.co/pPndMH6Cor
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) August 12, 2025
He wrote: “I wanted to give everyone a quick update. I had surgery on my collarbone this morning to have a plate and screws put in to help with the healing process. It’s been a tough few days mentally, but the love everyone has shown me has certainly helped make things easier. I truly appreciate it. Love you all ❤️.”
Now, Zilisch has just two weeks to recover from the fall if he plans to return to Xfinity in Daytona. His team is talking to doctors about what’s next, and he expressed regret over missing Sunday’s Cup race at The Glen.
