Both Zhi Cong Li and Ryan Tveter were taken to hospital after being involved in a horrific crash during the opening race of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship weekend at the Red Bull Ring on Saturday.
The Carlin duo as well as Van Amersfoort Racing’s Pedro Piquet were involved in the crash, which happened when Tveter spun at turn five and ended up stationary on the racing line, with Li unsighted through the dust thrown up, rear ending his team-mate and flying high and corkscrewing in the air before landing in the gravel trap.
Piquet, who was following Li as they battled for position on track, attempted to avoid the same fate as the Chinese driver but hit Tveter’s car as well, but with less severe consequences.
Li and Tveter were initially taken to the medical centre at the Red Bull Ring, with the Chinese driver being airlifted to hospital due to possible head and back injuries, while Tveter was taken via ambulance.
Li has been revealed to have suffered multiple broken bones in his heel that will require surgery, as well as four fractured vertebrae that will not require surgery. Tveter was discharged from hospital with heavy bruising to the knee.
A statement from the FIA indicated that one of the driver’s lost consciousness during the incident, most likely to have been Li bearing in mind the viciousness of the crash, but both were awake and alert when at the medical centre.
The race was immediately stopped as a result of the crash, with Callum Ilott claiming his second victory of 2016.
