Badoer Escapes Heavy Crash at Barcelona

Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer was very slightly injured today in a heavy crash at the Barcelona circuit in Spain.

The Italian was lifted out of a completely ruined car shortly before noon, and was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital. He was conscious throughout, but apparently had hurt his neck.

The Montmelo track manager said that Badoer had suffered no serious injury and was being kept in for observation for 24 hours.

Sant Cugat Hospital's spokesman confirmed that Badoer had been admitted but did not comment on his condition.

Reports from the Barcelona circuit said that Badoer's accident happened after he lost a wheel at high speed. His car somersaulted into the gravel and went over the tyre barrier.

The circuit was closed down for the rest of the day, and Ferrari halted their testing until they analyse the reasons for the accident.

Meanwhile, McLaren's David Coulthard, who returned to work after a couple of weeks away from testing, set the fastest time of the day until the session was stopped.

Coulthard was able to complete 46 laps with a best time of 1::20.460, while Alex Wurz, the team's test driver, was some three tenths slower.

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Reuters images from today's test session: &url=2sq940eh"> Luca Badoer is Lifted Out of Car after Crashing During Testing (1) &url=2sq940eg"> Luca Badoer is Lifted Out of Car after Crashing During Testing (2) &url=2sq940aq"> Luca Badoer is Lifted Out of Car after Crashing During Testing (3) &url=2sq940al"> Luca Badoer Airlifted To Hospital (1) &url=2sq940af"> Luca Badoer Airlifted To Hospital (2) ------

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