Ralf 'could risk brain damage'
Formula 1's medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins has warned Williams driver Ralf Schumacher from returning to the cockpit of a racing car too soon, otherwise he could be risking his life from side effects of his 165mph United States Grand Prix smash
Schumacher has missed the last two grands prix as he recovers from fractures to his spine from his Indy crash in June, but has targeted the Hungarian Grand Prix next month as his comeback race. The 27-year-old German also missed a race last year after a massive testing crash at Monza, and Watkins - a brain specialist - has advised against a hasty return.
"Ralf must make sure he is fully recovered and rule out the chance of suffering side effects from the crash," said Watkins. "Otherwise a secondary impact syndrome threatens and with a young brain such as Ralf's that could mean the vibrations lead to brain swelling and, in the worst case scenario, death.
"Ralf has had two very similar heavy impacts in the last year in Monza and Indianapolis, and the effect if he returned before he was fully fit could be the same as you see in a boxer."
Share Or Save This Story
Why Aston Martin is a better destination on the F1 driver market than it seems
What is it like being a Williams F1 simulator driver?
Marquez expects rivals to risk more in hunt for MotoGP title
MotoGP title challenger Bezzecchi pessimistic for British GP
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments