Brutal Houston Smash Ends Franchitti's Stunning IndyCar Career

Injuries from last month's crash have forced Dario to hang up his race suit
Image source: IndyCar

Dario Franchitti has announced that he will be unable to continue his motor racing career following injuries he sustained in a high-speed crash in Houston last month.

After colliding with former F1 racer Takuma Sato and slamming into a barrier, the 40-year-old Scot suffered a spinal fracture, right ankle fracture and concussion. Six weeks on from the crash, doctors have advised him to retire from racing.

Image source: IndyCar

In a statement on his website, he said:

Based upon the expert advice of the doctors, it is their best medical opinion that I must stop racing. They have made it very clear that the risks involved in further racing are too great and could be detrimental to my long-term well-being. I was looking forward to the 2014 season with Chip Ganassi Racing with a goal of winning a fourth Indianapolis 500 and a fifth IndyCar Series championship. Hopefully in time, I'll be able to continue in some off-track capacity with the IndyCar Series. I love open-wheel racing and I want to see it succeed.
Image source: IndyCar

Franchitti is a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and won 31 IndyCar races in a 265-race career. He won his first title in the series in 2007 before taking three consecutive championship victories between 2009 and 2011.

Video: Franchitti's career-ending Houston crash

Loading this video will expose you to potential cookies and tracking by the provider

Comments

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get the latest car news, reviews and unmissable promotions from the team direct to your inbox