Massa taken to hospital
Sauber's Felipe Massa has been taken to hospital following a large accident during testing at Barcelona in Spain today (Wednesday). The Brazilian ploughed off the track at Turn 1 after a suspected suspension failure
The accident occurred at 9.10am, two laps after he had set the fastest time at that point, and appears to have been caused by a right-front suspension failure, although Sauber has yet to confirm this officially. Eyewitnesses report that the right-front wheel and suspension parts were detached from the chassis, although the car otherwise was not too badly damaged.
Sauber has denied reports that Massa fainted after getting out of the car by himself, but he was taken to the medical centre and then on, by helicopter, to the General Hospital of Catalunya at Sant Cugat in the outskirts of Barcelona.
The last major F1 crash at this corner befell Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer in January 2001, when a rear suspension failure caused his car to somersault through the gravel trap and land atop the tyre barrier.
Sauber has decided to cancel the rest of its testing programme for the day.
More news on Massa's condition as we get it.
Share Or Save This Story
Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial, judge rules
Massa's lawyer: Ecclestone, Mosley involved in "deliberate concealment" of Crashgate
Prost-like Massa deserved to retire an F1 world champion
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Verstappen Racing leads dominant Mercedes 1-2
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Faultless Verstappen helps team lead Mercedes 1-2
DS Penske on the pace in Monaco Formula E opener
Watch LIVE: Nurburgring 24 Hours
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