Investigation promised into crash
MACAU: Berlin International motorsports chief Jean Todt has promised an investigation into the horrific aerial crash at the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix which left 17yearold German driver Sophia Floersch with a spinal fracture.
Floersch was catapulted off the track into a photographers’ bunker after hitting the back of one car and shunted over another while travelling at more than 275kmh on the tight street circuit.
The teenager was conscious when taken to hospital. Shelater tweeted that she was ‘‘fine’’ and was to undergo surgery last night.
‘‘After the serious incident . . . in Macau the FIA is mobilised to help those involved and analyse what happened,’’ International Motorsport Federation president Todt tweeted.
‘‘We will monitor the situation and make the necessary conclusions.’’
Japanese driver Sho Tsuboi, who Floersch hit after the initial impact, was also taken to hospital complaining of back pain but the Macau Grand Prix organising committee said he had been discharged after treatment.
The event’s chief medical officer, Dr Chan Wai Sin, said two photographers and one track marshal were also injured in the crash and taken to hospital for treatment.
Floersch is competing in her first season in the junior F3 series. She was in 15th place when the accident happened on lap four.
Germany’s Mick Schumacher, the son of Formula One great Michael Schumacher, who took part in the race, tweeted: ‘‘Our thought are with (at)SophiaFloersch and the others injured, we hope for the best. (hashtag)StayStrongSophia.’
Chinese driver Guan Yu Zhou, who was driving behind Floersch, said there were yellow warning lamps on the straight just before the accident, which he said seemed to be ‘‘an take’’.
‘‘Sophia was very close to Jehan Daruvala and as he braked early she had no time to react,’’ he said.
Crashes are frequent at the Macau Grand Prix on the 6.2km Guia Circuit around the streets of the island.
Last year, British motorcyclist Daniel Hegarty died after hitting the safety barrier during a race, the eighth rider to have lost his life on the circuit since 1973. — DPA
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