Teenage racer cheats death in terrifying crash at F3 Macau Grand Prix (VIDEO)
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Floersch miraculously cheated death when the Formula 3 driver lost control of her car, sending it flying through the air and slamming into a wall on the perimeter of the track at the Macau Grand Prix.
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The incident occurred on a right-hand turn when German teenager Floersch collided with Sho Tsuboi, sending her Van Amersfoort Racing car airborne directly into a barrier before colliding with a trackside area reserved for photographers.
Mijn god, hier de crash vanaf de tribune gefilmd. Pas op, schokkende beelden! Nogmaals: het is Sophia Floersch die is gecrasht in de Formule 3-race van Macau. De Duitse rijdt voor het Nederlandse team Van Amersfoort Racing. Hopelijk komt er snel een update! #F3pic.twitter.com/HesSwYimWf
— Rob van Gameren (@VanGamerenF1) November 18, 2018
Both Floersch and Tsuboi have been transported to a local hospital, though a statement released by race organizers has confirmed that Floersch was conscious in the aftermath of the accident.
“Following evaluation by medical staff, the driver is conscious and has subsequently been taken to hospital for further evaluation,” the statement read.
The #MacauGP crash is a gut wrenching reminder of how dangerous Motorsport still is, and how close drivers are to the edge. Hoping @SophiaFloersch is ok, along with all marshalls & photographers. A horrifying incident.
— Richard Bayliss (@RSBayliss) November 18, 2018
In addition to both drivers involved, two photographers and a track marshal were also taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The race was red-flagged after the accident and didn’t restart until an hour afterwards, as the barrier suffered significant damage in the incident.
Floersch is considered to be one of the rising stars in all of motorsport. The teenager made history in her debut Formula 4 appearance, becoming the first female to score points in an official race.
Once it was restarted, the race was eventually won by Red Bull junior driver Dan Tickum after a total of eight drivers failed to finish due to various accidents, but it was Floersch's which was the most significant.
Thankfully, the driver has posted an update to social media saying that she is 'fine' and that she will be having surgery on Monday, though it was confirmed the she suffered a spinal injury in the accident.
Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into Surgery tomorow morning. Thanks to the @fia and @hwaag_official@MercedesAMGF1 who are taking great care of me.Thanks to everybody for the Supporting messages.Update soon.
— Sophia Floersch (@SophiaFloersch) November 18, 2018