Moscow FR3.5: Crash rules Lucas Foresti out of race two

The Brazilian sustained extensive damage to his car after clashing wheels with Nikolay Martsenko and overturning.

Comtec technical director Ashley Edwards said Foresti's could not be repaired in time.

"The car's done," said Comtec Edwards. "We've tried to repair it, but he's done three corners, the bell housing, there's damage to the sidepods, the engine has taken a stud and there's a possibility the tub might be cracked."

The work needed to repair the British Formula 3 race winner's machine was judged unfeasible to complete in a race weekend.

"It's no fault of Renault's that we can't get out," continued Edwards. "They have the spare bell-housing, but because we changed the gearbox this year it's a lot of work to sort out all of the internals. We could probably do it if there wasn't everything else to do on the car as well."

The accident happened when the three SMP-sponsored cars were running together. Foresti lost momentum after an unsuccessful passing attempt on the leader of the group, Tech 1's local favourite Mikhail Aleshin.

When the move failed to come off, Foresti's Comtec team-mate Daniil Move overtook the Brazilian who fell into the clutches of the chasing Martsenko on the approach to the fast right Turn 9.

Foresti escaped from the wreck with a minor muscle injury. Despite the violence of the accident, Edwards says the Brazilian is keen to return to the cockpit.

"This is very tough coming on the back of Spa where we also sustained quite a lot of damage, but Lucas is eager to jump back in the car," he said.

"He was quite fortunate that he's alright. When I watched his onboard video and saw the position of his hand as he went over, I winced.

"You could also see one of the wheels explode, because they're made of magnesium."