Firman Taken to Hospital

Ralph Firman was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital for medical checks, after the Briton crashed heavily this morning, in the first practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Firman had to be helped away from his stricken Jordan during the first of Saturday morning’s two practice sessions after a 240kmh crash ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Firman, 28, lost control of his Jordan when the car's rear wing flew off, leaving Firman a passenger as he careered off the track, over the gravel trap and slammed sideways into a tyre wall at 240 km/h.

The session was stopped immediately and he remained in the car for a few minutes before getting out of the car and being helped to a stretcher, where he was able to sit up and talk to the marshals around him.

He was said to be shaken by the incident and, after a visit to the circuit medical centre, the FIA medical delegate, Professor Sid Watkins, decided to send Firman by helicopter to a nearby hospital for precautionary checks.