Extreme E 2022 begins with a series of accidents and injuries

For its first round of the 2022 season, theExtreme E wanted to make an impression. It's successful, but perhaps not with respect for its drivers. During the Desert X-Prix contested in Saudi Arabia on February 19 and 20, several spectacular accidents marred the progress of the race. the event, won by Kristoffersson-Ahlin-Kottulinsky.

It all started during the qualifying sessions on Saturday morning. Christine Giampaoli Zonca (Veloce) rolled while negotiating a turn. The Italian-Canadian fractured her left foot in the accident, and had to be replaced by reservist Hedda Hosas:

A HUGE impact.

Christine GZ was able to get out of the car and was taken to a local hospital for a further check up.#ExtremeE #DesertXPrix #NiobiumTech @Veloce_Racing pic.twitter.com/wdThZfpTyU

- Extreme E (@ExtremeELive) February 19, 2022

“I'm a little shocked, but I want to thank the entire medical team and my team who did a remarkable job. I am motivated to be recovered by the Sardinia event to show our true potential”, declared the pilot of rally-raid.

A few hours later, the legends of the Dakar, Carlos Sainz (Acciona) and Nasser Al-Attiyah (Cupra Abt) collided. Rarely in good shape during rally-raid events, the relationship between the two men took another hit! The two men passed the blame on each other, but the Race Direction judged that the Qatari, recent winner of the Dakar with Mathieu Baumel, was to be penalized with two points.

When legends collide 💥😬 #ExtremeE #DesertXPrix pic.twitter.com/kQO5BxE3lF

- Extreme E (@ExtremeELive) February 19, 2022

On Sunday, tempers were even more heated. In the final, the American Tanner Foust (McLaren), blinded by the dust released by the electric SUV of Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky (Rosberg X Racing) harpooned the rear of the machine and flew into the air.

The moment it all went wrong for @McLarenXE, after their stunning Extreme E debut weekend!#ExtremeE #DesertXPrix pic.twitter.com/UPmmuyecQN

- Extreme E (@ExtremeELive) February 21, 2022

Stunned, the former drift driver took a few minutes to recover from this crash. Taken to the medical center, Tanner Foust emerged with bruised legs.

Finally, the Hansen brothers had their share of grains of sand. The eldest Timmy (Andretti) was in reverse during the semi-finals, with no injury other than his self-esteem:

The moment it was all over for @andrettiunited in Semi Final 2! 😨#ExtremeE #DesertXPrix pic.twitter.com/liItKvHO42

- Extreme E (@ExtremeELive) February 20, 2022

This was not the case for his little brother, Kevin. The Swede, representing the JBXE team, finished his semi-final grimacing. In fact, a compression approached at high speed caused him violent back pain.

Transported to Neom hospital, the World pilot Rallycross had scans, which revealed a fracture to vertebra 8 as well as chest trauma. “As you can see, I have already sat down with my back support and the doctors are confident that the injury will heal well”, motivated the 23-year-old young man.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by KEVIN HANSEN (@kevinhansen71)

Let's hope that the second meeting, scheduled in Italy on May 7 and 8, will put the health of the competitors in less danger.

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