There was a scary crash in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as Mick Schumacher careered into the barriers at high speed.
Schumacher remained in the car for a prolonged period after hitting the concrete walls, and was airlifted to hospital.
His team Haas confirmed that the German was physically in good shape as he was brought to hospital.
The massive crash for Schumacher is just another example of the dangers posed by the high-speed Saudi track and its lack of run-off.
Saudi GP: Mick Schumacher walks away from enormous crash in Jeddah
Mick Schumacher and Haas have enjoyed quite the turnaround in fortunes in 2022. Having failed to score a single point during the 2021 season, they took a sensational fifth place in the season opener through Schumacher’s teammate Kevin Magnussen.
Schumacher is looking to get his first points in Formula One this season, and was on course for a good result in qualifying when he had a huge shunt.
The Haas went wide through the winding opening section of the track and spun around 180° before colliding with the wall twice.
Mick Schumacher has been assessed at the Medical Centre. The assessment revealed no injuries.
He has been transferred to King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, for precautionary checks.#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ZVJoHdl0M3— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2022
Schumacher remained in the car for quite some time after the crash, as the medical car and circuit doctor arrived on the scene.
It was confirmed later in the evening that Schumacher would miss the race.
Mick Schumacher will miss the Saudi Arabian GP after a huge accident in qualifying.
That Mick is physically well after the crash is another reminder of the strength and safety of modern F1 cars for which we are incredibly thankful#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/qhLcw0elb7— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2022
The TV directors did not show any replays of the incident, raising concerns about Schumacher’s wellbeing.
Eventually, commentator David Croft confirmed that Schumacher was conscious and the German was taken away from the circuit in an ambulance for further checks.
The massive crash for the Haas was the latest in a sequence of worrying incidents on track at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Ahead of the race weekend, Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were among those to criticise the safety conditions at the track.
The high speeds and proximity of the concrete barriers were among the concerns raised about the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, and Schumacher’s crash showed the dangers plainly for all to see.
In shock news, Lewis Hamilton missed out on Q2 on pure pace for the first time since the 2009 British Grand Prix.
The Briton will provisionally start Sunday’s race in 16th. Hamilton looked shaken in his post-quali interview, as he processed Schumacher’s enormous hit and his own lack of pace in qualifying.
❌ ELIMINATED FROM Q1 ❌
Hamilton 📸
Albon
Hulkenberg
Latifi
Tsunoda #SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/XRjPqmjArx— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2022
After Friday’s frightening missile strike nearby to the circuit, it’s been an unsettling weekend so far in Jeddah, as Formula 1 continues to face questions on all fronts about its decision to race in Saudi Arabia