Drama in Monza already: F1 Safety car in the barrier after high-speed crash
F1 News
The Formula 1 world is anticipating a dramatic weekend in Monza. The Italian Grand Prix is set to see McLaren and Red Bull go head-to-head again, while Mercedes and home favourites Ferrari also try to challenge for the victory. But there's already drama a day before the on-track action starts. The safety car has crashed.
The Italian circuit is known as the temple of speed. It's one of the quickest laps on the Formula 1 calendar. It's also old school, with plenty of gravel next to the tarmac. It has already claimed its first victim of the weekend.
Safety car crashes in Monza
During the high-speed track test, the safety car crashed at Parabolica. This is perhaps the most iconic corner at the Monza circuit and is the final corner before the start/finish straight. It is always a challenging part of the circuit for the Formula 1 drivers, but Bernd Mayländer had trouble with it on Thursday.
The safety car appears to have spun off the track at high speed and run across the gravel. It hit the wall, and part of its bonnet went underneath the barrier. It seems impossible to open the left side door. But there is good news: everyone got out of the car, and all involved are OK.
The Formula 1 cars will make it out on the circuit for the first free practice session on Friday. Two more practice sessions will follow before qualifying on Saturday afternoon. The Italian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.
GPblog has since learned the following information about the incident. "There was an on-track incident with the FIA Safety Car today at Monza. Aston Martin is investigating the cause but can confirm both driver and passenger are fine. There is an additional Safety Car at the circuit and it will not impact the weekend's event."