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18th Nov 2018

Formula 3 driver fractures spine after horrific crash during Macau Grand Prix

Kyle Picknell

This is one of those crashes that has to be seen to be believed

Sophia Florsch, a talented Formula 3 driver, suffered a horrific crash during the Macau Grand Prix on Sunday.

Just before turning into a bend, the 17-year-old German lost control of her car which then flew up into the air, spinning, and crashed into the fences around the edge of the race track.

Fortunately, a statement from her team Van Amersfoort Racing has confirmed that Florsch is conscious and in a stable condition. She has, however, suffered a fractured spine and will have surgery on Monday.

Watching the footage, you can’t help but think the outcome could have been much, much worse.

https://twitter.com/TopGear_BR/status/1064102041893699584

The driver of the other car involved in the crash, Japan’s Sho Tsuboi, has also been taken to hospital with back pain.

Photographer Minami Hiroyuki has concussion, while marshal Chan Cha In suffered a fractured facial bone and lacerations according to race officials. Another photographer, Chan Weng Wang, has a liver laceration.

The race was immediately red-flagged and did not restart until an hour after the incident.

Florsch thanked fans for their messages of support on Twitter after the accident.

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button was one of those to express relief that the crash wasn’t as bad as first feared after footage emerged.