Young Driver Survives Horrific Crash at Macau Grand Prix
The start of this weekend’s Macau Grand Prix Formula Three race was nothing short of shocking. On the fourth lap of Sunday’s race on the south coast of China, teenage German driver Sophia Floersch lost control of her Van Amersfoort Racing Dallara-Mercedes ride down a straightaway as she raced toward the right-hand corner. The 17-year-old driver’s ride launched off a curb, bounced off Sho Tsuboi’s car and sailed into awaiting safety netting.
Although she was conscious following the accident, this young F3 racing star suffered a spinal fracture and will undergo surgery this morning at Conde S. Januario General Hospital. Japanese driver Sho Tsuboi, who was also involved in the crash, was also taken to hospital with pain in his lower back. Others injured included on-site photographers Minami Hiroyuki and Chan Weng Wang, said to be dealing with a concussion and lacerated liver, respectively, and race marshal Chan Cha, who suffered cuts and a broken bone in his face.
Following this crash, the race was delayed for over an hour to repair the barrier and tend to others who received minor injuries. Despite this drama and delay, another teen driver – 19-year-old Dan Ticktum of London – would go on to win the Macau Grand Prix.
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