F3 crash: Carlin credits FIA and Dallara for saving drivers

Carlin driver 'Peter' Li Zhi Cong smashed into the rear of the car of team-mate Ryan Tveter, who had spun through the gravel and come to rest on the racing line exiting the second of the circuit's fast left-handers, and was shrouded by a dust cloud from the gravel.

Li has broken vertebrae and a broken right heel, while Tveter was released from Graz hospital with bruising and concussion.

"Peter was doing 192km/h and hit a stationary object square on," said Carlin. "That's why it was such a violent impact.

"Because of the dust he had zero warning - he was full throttle within five metres of impact.

"Fortunately the inertia of the accident carried him through the initial impact.

"It wasn't a blunt force, but obviously it completely compromised the front crash structure and the monocoque, causing the foot injuries.

"However, the integrity of the rest of the chassis stopped it being more of an issue.

"His back injury is from the massive compression on landing upside down."

Pedro Piquet collected Tveter's car in the aftermath and passed close to Li's flight path.

"We're thankful that Peter, Ryan and Pedro are all [relatively] unharmed; today we won the lottery," added Carlin.

"We're thankful to the FIA and Dallara for building a car that helped the drivers survive the impact, but we need to learn from this and hopefully implement further measures to minimise injuries even more."

Tveter, who returned to the track on Sunday, said: "I had a little moment, lost the rear and spun through the gravel.

"I had the clutch in, and I was just coming down from fifth to first, literally about to pull off, praying to God that no one hits me, and this happened.

"Everything was in slow motion - I saw Peter's car flying through the air, really scary, and I didn't even know Pedro was involved.

"It's really a miracle that all of us were able to come away from that; all my thoughts are with Peter, and I wish him all the best with his recovery.

"I'm feeling pretty OK, and it's a testament to what the FIA and Dallara have done to F3 - 10 years ago that probably would have been a fatal accident."

Li's car is destroyed, and his injuries make a return this season unlikely, although Carlin has spare monocoques available.

Tveter's car can be rebuilt and the American will contest the next round at the Norisring.

Carlin said: "They might possibly allow an engine change without grid penalties, due to it being non-driver-influenced damage."