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De Ferran to miss IRL finale

Double CART champion Gil de Ferran will miss out on the chance to add this year's Indy Racing League title to his list of achievements this weekend because of an injury sustained in Sunday's penultimate round at the Chicagoland oval

The Brazilian suffered concussion and a hairline fracture to his left wrist when he hit the Turn Two wall on lap 52. He has been released from hospital, but has been ruled out from driving at this weekend's Texas finale.

That leaves his team-mate Helio Castroneves as the only man who can stop Sam Hornish Jr from claiming a second consecutive IRL title. Hornish Jr holds a 12-point advantage over Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves. De Ferran was the only other driver with a mathematical shot at the title.

IRL director of medical services Dr Henry Bock said: "Recovery periods for any type of concussion vary for many reasons, but rarely do symptoms completely disappear in seven to 10 days.

"As with any head injury, it is better to be cautious and not put the driver at risk. That's what we are doing with Gil."

The driver who claims the IRL title at the weekend will also win a $1 million bonus.

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