Ex-F1 star Pascal Wehrlein taken to hospital after horror smash in practice session

Pascal Wehrlein suffered a scary crash in practice for the Formula E Hyderabad E-Prix in India after losing control of his Porsche which smashed into the barriers

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Sport

Dan Burnham Senior Sports Reporter/Content Editor

09:46, 11 Feb 2023

[Pascal Wehrlein crashing out]

Pascal Wehrlein hit hard into the barriers in Formula E practice(Image: Twitter/@FIAFormulaE)

Formula E star Pascal Wehrlein was taken to hospital after being involved in a high-speed crash.

The German, who previously raced in Formula 1 for Manor and Sauber, lost control of his Porsche in practice for the Hyderabad E-Prix in India yesterday (February 10). He spun out on the final corner and smashed into the barriers.

The heavy contact caused debris to cover the track and prompted an audible gasp from commentators Jack Nicholls and Karun Chandhok. Wehrlein was able to climb out of the car without assistance after telling his team that the throttle had "got stuck".

But he was later taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks due to the impact he suffered, with Porsche wanting to be "100% sure" he hadn't sustained any injuries.

Motorsport director Florian Modlinger told The Race: "He looks okay, but to double check everything he will now have medical checks and then we will be sure. We want to be 100% sure and to not risk anything, and therefore he goes to the hospital."

[Pascal Wehrlein crashing out]

The German lost control of his Porsche at the final corner and spun out(Image: Twitter/@FIAFormulaE)

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The team also kept their drivers in the garage once the session restarted so they could conduct further tests on their cars before sending them back out on the track.

Wehrlein was able to compete in qualifying this morning, clocking the ninth quickest time. But he'll start the race 12th on the grid after picking up a three-place penalty for impeding Sergio Sette Camara.

[Pascal Wehrlein getting out of his car at Hyderabad Street Circuit]

Wehrlein escaped unscathed but was taken to hospital as a precaution(Image: Motorsport Images / SplashNews.com)

[Pascal Wehrlein]

He returned for qualifying this morning in India(Image: FREDERIC LE FLOC H/DPPI/REX/Shutterstock)

He entered the race weekend as the Championship leader after the first three races of 2023, which have seen him claim back-to-back victories at the two races in Diriyah and a second-placed finish in the Mexico City season opener.

Wehrlein made the switch to Formula E in 2019 having spent a year in F1 with each of Manor and Sauber. He was also Ferrari's development driver that year.

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