F4 Driver Loses Both Lower Legs

[dewolf]

This is a monumental hit. Just reported here that both lower legs had to amputated. He's only 17 years old. Very sad. The thing that strikes me is I don't see a flag marshal anywhere.

[Nickshu]

Ouch that is hard to watch.

[masraum]

Wow! It looked like the one car was completely stationary.

The way those guys sit in those cars, it's a wonder that they aren't all running around on stumps.

[David]

I never understand when a driver doesn't get off the track immediately when something breaks.

It used to really piss me off in kart racing.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by David

I never understand when a driver doesn't get off the track immediately when something breaks.

It used to really piss me off in kart racing.

A comment on one of the youtube videos stated that driver went off track, spun and landed back on track - just seconds before the impact occurred.

[kach22i]

Didn't see that coming.............it was just there.

There is a place near me with an autoclave, I studied one of the F-car shells outside their building once. Many layers of carbon fiber or arimid, almost an inch thick and of course a sort of bullet shaped nose cone looking like it could penetrate a bunker.

He must have hit that absolutely square on, any deflection angle at all would have sent the energy elsewhere. The nose cone just got buried into the engine block and fused.

[ted]

Originally Posted by David

I never understand when a driver doesn't get off the track immediately when something breaks.

It used to really piss me off in kart racing.

Should be yellow or red flags warning those on track?

Agree it would be safer to pull off as far away as possible.
If you are going to pull off track do it with widest margin possible, dont just park it on the grass beside the track surface.

Some stop on track and hope the race is delayed/yellow flagged and they are towed back to the pit for a quick fix.
Or stay on track because you dont want to start a grass fire with your low slung hot headers.
Or rather not destroy a set of hot slicks by embedding them with rocks.

Watching a race from a disabled race car is very dangerous.
Beached outside of turn 6 Laguna.
https://youtu.be/4glx1pjt10w?t=12m22s
Coronado front straight.
https://youtu.be/4h_naPftPR4?t=7m2s

[jhynesrockmtn]

Wow, that is terrible. I don't know the track or circumstances. If the guy just spun and if the straight is fairly lengthy there may be no flag station real close. If grass is dry, drivers in the amateur/vintage racing I've done are told not to park on it for risk of fire as mentioned previously. The car may have also be inop after the spin. Lot's of factors potentially at play here.

[sand_man]

Not sure I want to watch that video, but feel sad for the young man who lost his legs. Despite all the technology and safety advancements, Murphy's Law is ALWAYS in play with motorsports...if it can go wrong, it will.

[matthewb0051]

Story with Crowdfunding appeal

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/billymonger23

Jenson Button is reported to have given 15,000 GBP

[Joe Bob]

That was an ultimate OH CRAP/crash moment. Nothing you could do. I had one of those once. Still darkens my dreams.....

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

A comment on one of the youtube videos stated that driver went off track, spun and landed back on track - just seconds before the impact occurred.

Truly unfortunate but clearly explains it.

Not the same as the OP circumstances but regarding stalls -personally, I wouldn't care what the stewards say. Let the driver decide to whats best in safe park but almost in all cases, get out of the way and off the course.

[rfuerst911sc]

Hopefully when the kid is emotionally ready someone like Zanardi can keep the kids head in the game. Yes it is tragic but he's alive and can still be a contributing member of society . Who knows might be able to continue to race or be affiliated with a race team . I wish him the best .