24 Hours of Spa – The injured give their news

This was undoubtedly the striking image of these 24 2021 Hours of Spa. As the race barely reached its first half hour, a pileup involving four GT3s occurred at the top of Raidillon.

We first thought the worst because the TV production deliberately did not broadcast any slow motion footage of the accident. Then, we learned that of the four drivers taken to the medical center at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, two of them were transferred to the nearest hospital, Kevin Estre (Porsche) and Franck Perera (Lamborghini) having not been seriously injured.

During the night from Saturday to Sunday, Davide Rigon (Ferrari) joined his comrades on the Iron Lynx team with a metal plate on his back, a device he will wear for several days. “It was a big crash, I couldn't do anything to avoid it because I was in the middle of the pack, did he declare. I feel a bit like Iron Man with this metal device on me, but I hope to be back in a race car very soon. »

After his accident in the #Spa24H early minutes, @rigondavide was taken to the medical center and then nearest hospital for further tests. He has already been discharged and will have to rest for a time, wearing a back brace for the next few days before resuming normal training. pic.twitter.com/khcySwkrpK

— Ferrari Races (@FerrariRaces) July 31, 2021

As for Jack Aitken, the former hope of the car is the most affected with a broken vertebra and collarbone. The Englishman prefers to see the bright side of things:

First of all, thank you to everyone who has supported me in the last 16 hours or so, from the marshalls, medical staff trackside and at the hospital, my wonderful team, fellow drivers and all of you sending messages. All things considered I feel fine, and quite lucky. pic.twitter.com/BvTpwrHzI6

- Jack Aitken - @ (@JaitkenRacer) August 1

“First of all, thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last 16 hours or so, the track marshals, the trackside and hospital medical staff, my wonderful team, my fellow drivers and you everyone who sends messages. All things considered, I feel good and quite lucky.

The fractures are stable, fortunately. The aim now is to return to the UK and start to recover as best as possible, and get back in the car soon. I am sure that with the people around me I will do very well! And yes, I am on painkillers. »