F1: Hamilton smash halts qualifying.

[Rory Phoulorie]

Saturday, 21st July 2007

Briton's participation in European Grand Prix thrown into doubt by high-speed accident.

Lewis Hamilton has been taken to the Nurburgring medical centre on a stretcher after a heavy crash brought his qualifying for the European Grand Prix to an abrupt halt.

In the middle of his first flying lap in top ten shootout, the right-front corner of Hamilton's McLaren-Mercedes MP4-22 suffered a sudden failure on the entry to the high-speed left-right Schumacher S, sending him spearing head on into the tyre barriers.

Hamilton was slow to exit the car, and could be seen moving his legs on the onboard camera. The Briton was attended to at the scene for some time before being taken away to the medical centre. McLaren has confirmed that they do not think he is seriously hurt, but official sources will only say that he is 'conscious and talking'.

The reason for the crash remains unknown as of yet, but speculation ranged from a puncture to wheel or suspension failure. Team boss Ron Dennis has since revealed that there was a failure on one of the team's wheel guns which meant that the right front wheel was not attached properly. The same gun had been used to fit team-mate Fernando Alonso's right front, but the Spaniard had not started to press on his flying lap at the point, while Hamilton was already six-tenths up on the target time when he went off.

Dennis has also reported that Hamilton is generally uninjured, with confirmation that the championship leader has not suffered any broken bones and did not lose consciousness. He will be kept under observation as a precaution, essentially to check on his condition as and when shock sets in, and Hamilton may be moved to a nearby hospital if deemed necessary. No comment was forthcoming regarding his participation in Sunday's grand prix.

If he is able to start, Hamilton's failure to set a 'real' flying lap could leave him starting tenth, although a spot on row four is more likely given the relative pace of those involved in the final phase of qualifying. Whatever the outcome, the Briton's run of podiums could be at risk.

crash.net

[Rory Phoulorie]

We will see later if I can race, says Hamilton.

Saturday, 21st July 2007

Hamilton OK after scary off - but race participation still to be confirmed.

Britain's Lewis Hamilton has said that he is feeling 'absolutely fine' following his high-speed crash in qualifying at the Nurburgring today, although he still doesn't know whether or not he will be able to race on Sunday.

Hamilton went off in his McLaren-Mercedes MP4-22 at turn eight with less than 5 minutes of Q3 to go. He was then slow to exit the car and was attended to at the scene for some time before being stretched to an ambulance and took to the medical centre at the circuit.

The Englishman though did not suffer any broken bones, nor was he knocked unconscious in the incident: "I'm absolutely fine and we will see later if I am able to race tomorrow," he stated.

"Everybody has been looking after me really well. We know what caused the accident and I'm just pleased that everything is OK and I really hope I can race tomorrow."

If Hamilton does start tomorrow he will do so from tenth on the grid, unless he has to switch to the spare car, in which case he will have to start from the pit lane and will face a far tougher task of keeping up his run of podiums.

Thus far this season he has yet to finish lower than third and he currently leads the race for the drivers' championship by 12 points from his team-mate, Fernando Alonso, who will start second.

More to follow on whether or not Lewis will race on Sunday as soon as it is announced...

crash.net

[Rory Phoulorie]

Hamilton has scan, team promise full enquiry.

Saturday, 21st July 2007

Lewis Hamilton taken for 'precautionary' CT scan after qualifying crash.

McLaren-Mercedes have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton has had a 'precautionary' CT scan following his high-speed crash in qualifying at the Nurburgring today.

Hamilton went off in Q3 at turn eight and crashed into the tyre barriers with some force.

Team boss, Ron Dennis meanwhile has reiterated that the incident was due to a problem with the front wheel nut, which was apparently not tightened properly.

�The main thing is that Lewis is absolutely fine with no injuries and no broken bones. He has been taken to hospital for a precautionary CT scan and we will know later today if he is able to race tomorrow,� said Dennis.

�The accident was due to either a faulty air regulator or wheelgun causing the wheel nut on his right front wheel not to be tightened properly.�

Dennis also added that they will conduct a through enquiry to discover why the issue occurred: �The team is undertaking a full investigation to understand how this could have happened,� he continued.

Mercedes boss, Norbert Haug, like Dennis and the whole Woking-based squad - and indeed the rest of Formula 1, was relieved to see Lewis escape unharmed.

�The most important news of today is that Lewis is OK and he is now in hospital for a precautionary CT scan. The accident was not his fault,� Haug summed-up.


crash.net

[Plex]

yep, tomorrow is the day..glad he is ok from that crash..