German teen survives horror crash at Macau Grand Prix
The 17-year-old driver Sophia Floersch suffered a spinal fracture in the terrifying 270km/h crash.
Teenage German driver Sophia Floersch fractured her spine on Sunday after suffering a terrifying airborne crash at Macau’s Formula 3 Grand Prix.
The 17-year-old, member of Van Amersfoort Racing, was sent hurtling into the barriers lining the edge of the race track when her car vaulted over another car. She then lost control of her vehicle and was launched over the kerbs.
Speed-trap data from the braking zone of that corner revealed Floersch was travelling at 276.2km/h.
After the crash, the teenager was conscious and stable. She was taken to hospital along with Japanese driver Sho Tsuboi, two photographers and a marshal.
'All were conscious during transit to the hospital and are now receiving medical treatment. Further updates will be provided as soon as possible,' said the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee in a statement.
Hier de Macau-crash van Sophia Floersch nog van een ander camerastandpunt op de tribune. De snelheid en impact is echt ongelofelijk! Hopelijk is niet alleen Sophia, maar iedereen daar ongedeerd. Nog altijd geen updates. #MacauGP pic.twitter.com/FqZzVwu1q8
— Rob van Gameren (@VanGamerenF1) November 18, 2018
Spinal fracture
The initial diagnosis signaled a spinal fracture. A couple of hours after being taken to the hospital, Floersch tweeted to say she was OK and confirmed she will have surgery on Monday.
'Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into Surgery tomorrow morning,' she wrote.
Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into Surgery tomorow morning. Thanks to the @fia and @hwaag_official @MercedesAMGF1 who are taking great care of me.
— Sophia Floersch (@SophiaFloersch) November 18, 2018
Thanks to everybody for the Supporting messages.
Update soon.
Van Amersfoort Racing published a medical report that confirmed the spinal fracture and adds that she is “not fit to race.”
Official statement regarding @sophiafloersch's accident at the #MacauGP. pic.twitter.com/txkfJkePXq
— Van Amersfoort Racing (@VARmotorsport) November 18, 2018
The injured marshal suffered a laceration of the face and a fractured jaw. One of the photographers sustained a liver laceration and is being observed, while the other suffered a concussion. Driver Sho Tsuboi suffers lumbar pain and will also remain on observation.
Related stories
The race, which also featured the newly-crowned F3 champion Mick Schumacher, was eventually won by Red Bull junior driver Dan Ticktum.
Since 2012, three people have died in the Macau Grand Prix circuit. British rider Daniel Hegarty died last year after hitting a barrier during a motorcycle race. In 2012, two drivers, Portugal’s Luis Carreira and Hong Kong’s Philip Yau were killed within two days of each other.