Australian motor racing driver Mark Webber was in a “satisfactory condition” after his car collided with Matteo Cressoni’s Ferrari at the Six Hours of Sao Paulo event, said autosport’s governing body FIA.
Veteran Australian motor racing driver Mark Webber was in a “satisfactory condition” after a high-speed crash at the Six Hours of Sao Paulo event, autosport’s governing body FIA announced on Monday (Dec 1).
Webber, racing for Porsche in the World Endurance Championship after quitting Formula One last season, was stretchered off the Interlagos circuit on Sunday after his car collided with Matteo Cressoni’s Ferrari. Both cars crashed into a concrete barrier at speeds estimated at around 300km/h, with the 38-year-old Webber’s vehicle catching fire before it came to a stop with the car wrecked. Footage showed both cars crashing into a concrete barrier at speeds estimated at around 300km/h with Webber’s vehicle catching fire before it came to a stop with the car wrecked
“A dramatic accident occurred during the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo between the No.20 Porsche 919 Hybrid of Mark Webber and the No.90 8Star Motorsports Ferrari 458 Italia of Matteo Cressoni,” FIA medical delegate Dr Alain Chantegret said in a statement.
“The two drivers were conscious and transported with medical assistance to the circuit’s Medical Centre. Examinations took place. The two drivers were then taken to the Hospital Bandeirantes in Sao Paulo for additional checks. They are in a condition which is for the moment satisfactory.”
The race, which ended behind the safety car, was won by the Porsche of Neel Jani.“The first thing I would like to say is that Mark is basically ok so that is good,” Jani said after the race. The Porsche Team added: “The initial information the team received from the medical centre at the track was that he was not badly injured. However, he has been transferred to a hospital in Sao Paul for further checks.”
Porsche team boss Fritz Enzinger later said Webber was recovering in a Sao Paulo hospital. “Mark is OK, but he has had to go to hospital for further checks,” Enzinger told www.autosport.com. “We have spoken to him and said that people can go and see him, so Timo (Bernhard) and Brendon (Hartley, Webber’s team-mates) have gone to the hospital.”
“Glad to see @AussieGrit is ok after his shunt at Interlagos @FIAWEC, that was a big one matey,” tweeted 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button, using Webber’s Twitter address to contact the Australian.
