High-Speed F3 'Flying Car' Horror Crash Leaves Five In Hospital
A driver has been left needing spinal surgery and four others have been hospitalised after a shocking crash at the Macau Formula 3 race.
As the train of cars approached a 90-degree right-hander on lap four of the street circuit, which is almost fully bordered by metal barriers, Sophia Florschâs number 25 Van Amersfoort Racing car reportedly had contact with another, causing Florsch to lose control and spin just before the braking zone. Some reports suggest that the car in front of Florsch braked extremely early.
Unable to slow down and facing the wrong way, the car became a missile hurtling across the turning cars ahead of it. But before ploughing into too many of them, Florschâs car hit the kerb on the inside of the corner and launched into the air like a missile. It then clipped the top of another car, flew over the safety barrier and slammed into a marshalâs post on the outside of the bend. Hard.
The impact crushed the rear and top of the car, putting huge pressure down the helpless Florschâs spine. Spinal fractures have been reported by various outlets, with the young driver being sent for surgery this morning. She was conscious and responsive after the crash, thankfully, and more recently tweeted a message of thanks to all the medical staff who helped her.
The shocking collision sent bits of carbonfibre and fencing flying into the busy corner, too. Two photographers were hurt; one with a concussion and another with a laceration to his liver. Ouch. Unlucky marshal Chan Cha In suffered deep facial cuts, a broken jaw and a stomach wound.
Japanâs number 31 driver Sho Tsuboi was also taken to hospital after getting caught up in the terrible collision.
The race was quickly red-flagged â for the second time. Earlier in the race a multi-car pile-up on the narrow circuit had caused a full stoppage while cars and debris were cleared away.
Comments
Crazy! Glad she is okay. Goes to show the safety of modern race cars.
Thatâs a bad oneâŠ
As much as I dislike the halo, it wouldâve certainly prevented her spinal injury in this scenario. I do wish the photographer and the marshals a speedy recovery.
Even with the Halo preventing her from direct contact with the barrier, I honestly dont think her spine would survive such extreme G force from the high speed impact
As much as I love and enjoy racing, I have to say at this point that I hope this is the last grand prix in Macau. There have been so many huge and scary wreckages over the years that I strongly believe that there shouldnât be any races there anymore. It is only a matter of time until something worse happens.
Or then at least put up some more chicanes to slow the cars down. Street circuit and high speeds donât go well together
Last year a Moto GP rider lost his life at the Macau GP. It is indeed a very dangerous track both for motorcycles and cars.
Donât get me wrong, I see where youâre coming from. I really donât want to see another tragedy here, and Macau should really get some safety upgrades - the fence there looks like itâs made of paper (compared to other circuits where youâll see cars bounce off them at 120+ mph), and if memory serves me rightly thereâs not a single gravel trap on the circuit. but itâs not by far and away the most dangerous circuit. Since 1967, Macau has had 11 deaths (8 of them were motorcyclists), and in the same space of time Brands Hatch has had 29 fatal crashes. If motor racing should be stopped at Macau for being too dangerous, then why shouldnât it be stopped anywhere else?
This is why FIA needs to retain the traditional layout circuits with a big and purposely designed run-off areas. Street circuits are inherently unsafe for the drivers, the spectators, the marshals and basically everyone around. With the exception of Baku GP, they didnât produce any overtake-packed races either.
The Macau Grand Prix has been held for longer without year off than the Monaco Grand Prix. You might not want to talk about traditional layouts.
I couldnt ageee with your comment anymore. Ive said that this track is ridiculous and should be revised or discontinued but ive had people saying to wrap myself up in bubble wrap if im scared! But this track is imposing additional risks! If she went into that barrier she would have been dead! But if this one a purpose built track, the run off would have likely created enough space for the car to slow down and have gravel in place to assist whilst also making it safer for other drivers!
Macauâs a FIA grade 3 track , with the exception of monaco for historical reasons every single track on the f1 calendar is required to be FIA grade 1 . History is a big reason they go to Macau as well . A big part of getting grade 1 certification is safety,run-off,facilities etc . All the street tracks bar monaco on the f1 calendar are grade 1 while purpose built tracks like the Nordschleife and brands hatch are not . All street tracks are not more dangerous than purpose built ones
The race marshal standing on the other side of the fence needs to buy a lottery ticket god dayum
the driver also needs to buy one. it looked like she could die but she came out with just spinal injuries
The big problem is that this f3 cars ar to damn quick for this unexperienced drivers
Well she couldnât do anything. She got hit and spun right before the breaking point. Happens in F1 as well. All of these drivers are certainly experienced racing drivers with years of racing experience. Itâs just that accidents happen.
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