Breaking news
IMSA Sebring 12 Hours
Jimmie Johnson explains early Sebring 12H crash
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has explained the error that led to him requiring emergency service in the opening minutes of the Sebring 12 Hours.
Charles Bradley
Edited: Mar 21, 2021, 10:30 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Johnson started the #48 Action Express Cadillac, which required a new chassis being built up after he crashed out of qualifying at Turn 17. Mechanics only completed the job at midnight, ahead of the 12 Hours that started just after 10am local time.
But less than 15 minutes into the race, Johnson spun again at Turn 17, clipping the JDC Miller Cadillac of Loic Duval after running too wide while attempting to lap some GTD cars.
“I was trying to work around some GT cars and just got too wide,” Johnson told NBCSN. “There’s a lot of black [rubber] down there and I thought there’d be grip outside of those guys and there certainly wasn’t!
“I was in the marbles, hit a bump, and around I went and unfortunately collected Bourdais I believe [it was Duval] in that car. Nose damage was all, we put a new one on and the car is still driving great, turning fast laps. Just playing a little catchup now.”
Read Also:
Fortunately, Johnson was able to pit immediately for a new nose, and didn’t lose a lap. His early pitstop put the car off sequence, so he later led for seven laps before handing over to teammate Simon Pagenaud.
When asked about track conditions, Johnson replied: “Grip level is down, but it’s coming up now as the track rubbers in. Wind direction is also pretty different, so that’s playing into the ill-handling cars too.”
Pagenaud and third driver Kamui Kobayashi will now drive double stints each to get the car back into contention, with Johnson next likely drive later this afternoon.
Although this is his Sebring 12 Hours debut, Johnson’s pitwall has a familiar look with longtime NASCAR crew chief Chad Knaus handling his strategy and team boss Rick Hendrick also watching on.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Sebring 12H is underway, van der Zande leads for Ganassi
Next article Van der Zande slams Derani over Sebring clash: “He’s just too wild”
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Charles Bradley
Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1
Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Richmond II
Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash
Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Richmond II
Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”
Latest news
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
9 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe