Formula E race is halted after six-car HORROR crash at 150 mph as the lead car loses control and causes carnage for those behind…but the drivers escape the dramatic incident unscathed
- The Grand Prix of Rome in Formula E was halted on Saturday after a horror crash
- Sam Bird lost control of the wheel and stalled at the end of a blind corner
- Six cars were involved in the crash, but luckily no one was seriously injured
A Formula E grand prix was halted on Saturday after an alarming six-car accident in Rome.
In an incident already described as one of the worst in series history, lead driver Sam Bird lost control of his Jaguar traveling at 150 mph and spun on an overloaded straight.
He came to a stop and looked at the cars behind him, causing carnage as they tried to avoid a serious collision.
They emerged from a blind spot and found Bird’s car lying in the middle of the track.
The first car pinned the Jaguar trying to avoid it and eventually hit the barrier, while the three following all managed to avoid the stationary car, but crashed hard into the wall instead.
The Grand Prix of Rome in Formula E was halted on Saturday after a horror crash involving six cars
Sam Bird’s car stalled in the middle of a track after a blind corner, making it difficult for other drivers to get out of the way
Bird (pictured) has been sent for further medical checks after what Jaguar team principal James Barclay called a ‘nightmare scenario’
The scariest moment came with the fifth car trying to pass. It’s not clear whether the driver saw the stationary vehicle too late or simply didn’t have time to change direction, but it crashed straight into Bird’s Jaguar.
The track was littered with debris and the stewards made the obvious decision to stop the race.
Somewhat miraculously, no drivers were injured in the incident, although Bird has been taken for further medical checks.
After the red flag, seven of the 21 cars that had started the race were unable to continue, while a 22nd had already retired after crashing during qualifying.
One fan labeled the incident as ‘the worst Formula E crash of all time’, while another said it was ‘absolutely terrifying’.
The race restarted after a 45-minute delay when the track was cleared of debris.
Six cars were involved in the incident traveling at 150 mph, but luckily no one was injured
The track was littered with debris after the crash and the race was unable to restart for 45 minutes
James Barclay, head of the Jaguar team, said of Bird: ‘It’s standard procedure to get his medical checks. Luckily he seems okay and the other drivers seem okay, but it was a very bad accident.
“It really was a nightmare scenario, the fastest part of the circuit, a blind corner, but the most important thing is that the car stayed strong and did its job.”
A statement from Jaguar added: ‘Following a multi-car collision midway through lap 13, Sam has been assessed and checked by the medical team and thankfully is fine.
“The team will now concentrate on repairing its Jaguar I-Type 6 ahead of tomorrow’s race.”