F2 driver ‘awake’ after being airlifted to hospital following Saudi GP crash

12/06/2021

F2 racer Enzo Fittipaldi is "awake and alert" in hospital after being airlifted away from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on Sunday.

The Brazilian's brother Pietro confirmed the news in an update to fans on social media.

He had been rushed to a local hospital in Jeddah after a crash at the start line during the F2 feature race, caused by an issue Theo Pourchaire had while trying to start his car properly.

As the rest of the field pulled away, the 18-year old was left stood still on the grid – he had started third, meaning most of the pack were hurtling towards him.

Most managed to get out of the way, but Fittipaldi – the grandson of F1 legend Emerson – wasn't so lucky and smashed into the back of the young Frenchman's car at speed, with the incident taking place just before the enthralling F1 race, which Lewis Hamilton won.

The race was almost immediately red-flagged as rescuers rushed to their aid, before Fittipaldi was airlifted to hospital and Pourchaire was also taken by land ambulance.

Less than 24 hours on from the incident, fans have been given an update on Enzo's condition by his brother.

"Hey everyone, thanks for all the messages," Pietro wrote on social media.

"Enzo is awake/alert and resting at the hospital. He has a fracture in his right heel but thankfully things are much better than what we all expected.

"Thank you to the FIA, the team and all the medical staff here in Saudi Arabia."

A second Tweet also contained a photo taken in the immediate aftermath of the crash, which shows Pietro watching on nervously from behind a barrier as Enzo received treatment on the track.

"Happy to be here by your side in this difficult time…I love you bro," Pietro wrote in the caption.

Pourchaire also made sure to tell his fans on social media that he had not suffered any lasting damage.

"Hey everyone, just wanted to tell you that I’m globally fine!" he wrote.

"For the moment I don’t know if it’s already the end of the season for me. But the most important is not that, that was a really big one and Enzo is injured.

"I wish him the best recovery possible!"

The crash was the first of two major incidents which saw the F2 race cut short in Jeddah, to make time for the F1 Grand Prix which was scheduled to follow.

After Fittipaldi and Pourchaire had been taken away for treatment, and what was left of their cars removed from the track, the race restarted.

But a second crash involving Guilherme Samaia and Olli Caldwell saw officials bring an end to proceedings, with half points awarded.

As the man in front when the race was called off, Oscar Piastri was declared the winner.

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