Abu Dhabi: Series Friday report

FIA GT1 World Championship Qualifying Session Curtailed After Accident

Qualifying for the first race in the FIA GT1 World Championship was suspended after an accident at Turn 8 of the Yas Marina circuit involving the Matech Competition Ford GT of Natacha Gachnang. The Swiss driver's Ford failed to negotiate the corner and went down the escape road, hitting the safety barriers. Natacha Gachnang was conscious when the safety crews quickly reached the scene of the accident.

Natacha Gachnang was taken to the circuit Medical Centre where she was treated by the FIA Medical Delegate, and local medical staff, for a broken leg before being airlifted to Sheik Khalifa hospital in Abu Dhabi for further precautionary checks. The FIA Medical Delegate reported that Natacha was conscious and her condition was not life-threatening.

A TV cameraman was also injured while filming the event from Turn 8. The cameraman, Rob Hurdman from Greenlight Television, was hit by his camera, suffering a suspected broken nose. He was taken to the circuit Medical Centre for treatment and was taken to hospital by road ambulance for precautionary checks.

The FIA Race Director decided to end the qualifying session due to the amount of work required to reinstate properly the safety conditions necessary for racing to resume. In consequence the final positions of the first qualifying session will determine the starting grid for the qualifying race tomorrow. An update on the condition of Natacha Gachnang will be given in the morning.

-source: fia-gt1