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Published 9:50 AM EST, Mon November 19, 2018
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Race personnel and pit crew are seen at the accident site after Sophia Floersch, a German driver of Van Amersfoort Racing flew over the barriers and crashed into a photographers' bunker at high speed, during a Formula Three race at the Macau Grand Prix, in Macau, China November 18, 2018. Mai Shangmin/CNS via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT.
Sophia Floersch fractures spine in F3 crash
01:01 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

Sophia Floersch is undergoing surgery for the spinal fracture she suffered in a horrifying airborne crash at Sunday’s Formula Three Macau Grand Prix.

The 17-year-old German lost control of her Van Amersfoort Racing car and flew through the air, slamming into the track fence where marshals and photographers were gathered.

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“The medical team is working slowly on purpose, to avoid risk,” said a tweet sent from Floersch’s account on Monday.

“The course of the operation so far is good and without complications. The operation which started this morning is ongoing.”

Fernando Alonso's spectacular crash at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix reignited the debate around driver safety, specifically the new "halo." Built around the cockpit to protect drivers from debris, it appeared to come to the rescue of Charles Leclerc as Alonso's airborne car bounced off it and over him.
Fernando Alonso's spectacular crash at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix reignited the debate around driver safety, specifically the new "halo." Built around the cockpit to protect drivers from debris, it appeared to come to the rescue of Charles Leclerc as Alonso's airborne car bounced off it and over him.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
It was the second serious incident Alonso has been involved in in as many years, although his crash at the 2016 was arguably worse. After colliding with Esteban Gutierrez, Alonso's car hit the wall at 200mph, flipping through the air before coming to rest upside down. "I'm lucky to be here and thankful to be here," Alonso said after the crash.
It was the second serious incident Alonso has been involved in in as many years, although his crash at the 2016 was arguably worse. After colliding with Esteban Gutierrez, Alonso's car hit the wall at 200mph, flipping through the air before coming to rest upside down. "I'm lucky to be here and thankful to be here," Alonso said after the crash.
Alex Coppel/Herald Sun/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's death during the 1994 San Marino GP, the day after fellow driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed in qualifying, shocked the world. A three-time world champion, the Brazilian is still regarded as one of the greatest drivers ever. Senna's death resulted in widespread changes, including limiting engine size and power and raised cockpits sides to offer drivers more protection. Suspension also changed to prevent wheels from becoming disconnected from the front wing.
Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, San Marino 1994 —
Ayrton Senna's death during the 1994 San Marino GP, the day after fellow driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed in qualifying, shocked the world. A three-time world champion, the Brazilian is still regarded as one of the greatest drivers ever. Senna's death resulted in widespread changes, including limiting engine size and power and raised cockpits sides to offer drivers more protection. Suspension also changed to prevent wheels from becoming disconnected from the front wing.
JEAN-LOUP GAUTREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Jules Bianchi's death in 2015 -- nine months after his crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix -- was the first in Formula One since Senna's. On a sodden Suzuka track, Bianchi lost control of his car and smashed into a recovery vehicle dealing with an earlier crash involving driver Adrian Sutil. As a result of the incident, F1 changed regulations for drainage on tracks and how vehicles would respond to crashes.
Jules Bianchi, Suzuka 2014 —
Jules Bianchi's death in 2015 -- nine months after his crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix -- was the first in Formula One since Senna's. On a sodden Suzuka track, Bianchi lost control of his car and smashed into a recovery vehicle dealing with an earlier crash involving driver Adrian Sutil. As a result of the incident, F1 changed regulations for drainage on tracks and how vehicles would respond to crashes.
Getty Images/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda suffered extensive burns to his head and inhaled toxic fumes that damaged his lungs following a crash at Nürburgring in 1976. The incident took place at a point on the 22.8 km circuit that was almost impossible to access and Lauda had to be pulled from the wreckage by four fellow drivers. After the crash, the Nürburgring was removed from the F1 calendar for the following season.
Niki Lauda, Nürburgring 1976 —
Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda suffered extensive burns to his head and inhaled toxic fumes that damaged his lungs following a crash at Nürburgring in 1976. The incident took place at a point on the 22.8 km circuit that was almost impossible to access and Lauda had to be pulled from the wreckage by four fellow drivers. After the crash, the Nürburgring was removed from the F1 calendar for the following season.
Allsport UK /Allsport
If the first corner in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix seemed hectic, it pales in comparison to that of the 1998 edition. In yet another Spa deluge and with the drivers barely visible on TV through the rain, 13 drivers spun out in the opening seconds. The race restarted more than an hour later and featured 18 of the 22 drivers as teams were then allowed spare cars, a rule that has since been abolished.
Thirteen drivers, Spa-Francorchamps 1998 —
If the first corner in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix seemed hectic, it pales in comparison to that of the 1998 edition. In yet another Spa deluge and with the drivers barely visible on TV through the rain, 13 drivers spun out in the opening seconds. The race restarted more than an hour later and featured 18 of the 22 drivers as teams were then allowed spare cars, a rule that has since been abolished.
Getty Images/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
How crashes have shaped Formula One

Floersch’s car was clocked at 171.6 mph (276.2 kph) at the speed trap just before the braking area of the corner.

The FIA, motorsport’s governing body, confirmed that Japanese driver Sho Tsuboi – whose car Floersch collided with – had also been taken to hospital along with two members of the media and one marshal.

Several high-profile motorsport stars took to social media to offer their support for the stricken driver, including former Formula One world champion Jenson Button.

“Sorry to hear that Sophia Floersch has a spinal fracture,” he wrote. “But looking at the horrific accident she had today in Macau it could have been so much worse.”

FIA president Jean Todt added: “All my thoughts are with you Sophia Floersch & the others injured. I wish you all a safe recovery.”

Current Formula One driver for Renault Nico Hulkenberg said: “Just saw the horrible pictures from Macau … my thoughts are with Sophia Floersch and the other people involved. Stay strong.”

Floersch had earlier thanked everybody for their concern, saying: “Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into Surgery tomorow morning.

“Thanks to the FIA and HWA AG Mercedes who are taking great care of me. Thanks to everybody for the supporting messages.”

Race personnel and pit crew are seen at the accident site after Sophia Floersch flew over the barriers and crashed into a photographers' bunker.
Race personnel and pit crew are seen at the accident site after Sophia Floersch flew over the barriers and crashed into a photographers' bunker.
FIA

‘Angel on her shoulder’

Van Amersfoort Racing team principal Frits van Amersfoort said Floersch had an “angel on her shoulder” to survive the crash.

“It was nearly a rocket. Surviving was incredible,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We reckon she was traveling at 276km/h (171.6mph) at the time.”

The Dutchman said the moments after the crash were “one of the worst of my life”.

“It took quite a long time before the race control could say anything about the health of Sophia – everyone can imagine that’s not a nice thing to have,” he explained.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this. I haven’t seen all accidents in motorsport but this was surely one of the worst I’ve ever seen.

“We were lucky that she was flying because she went over a barrier. If she had hit the barrier it would have gone a lot worse.”