British driver Anthony Davidson is being treated in hospital for a broken back on Sunday after a spectacular crash at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
Davidson’s Toyota collided with a Ferrari, the clash sending his car airborne before smashing into a tyre barrier at Mulsanne Corner in the fifth hour of the celebrated endurance race on Saturday.
Initial reports from his team suggested he was suffering from shock and back pain, but he later tweeted from hospital: “Well that was a big one!
“Lying in a French hospital with a broken back wasn’t what I had in mind at this stage in the race…”
He confirmed to autosport.com that he had breaks to his T11 and T12 vertebrae and will remain in hospital until at least Monday.
Back at the track, Audi were maintaining their grip on the race which is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
On Sunday, at 9am local time, the German manufacturer filled the first four positions as they pursued an 11th win in the last 13 outings.
After 282 laps Danish driver Tom Kristensen, an eight time Le Mans winner, was in the lead from Swiss driver Marcel Fassler, with Italian Marco Bonanomi in third and France’s Loic Duval at the wheel of the fourth Audi lying fourth.
Formula One recruit Nick Heidfeld was placed fifth, nine laps behind, in the Lola-Toyota.
All the drivers enjoyed a relatively drama-free night’s racing, in stark contrast to events on Saturday when Davidson’s race ended dramatically when his car was clipped by the Ferrari of Piergiuseppe Perazzini.
Like Davidson’s Toyota, the Ferrari also ended upside down as the safety car was summoned and the race stopped.
A spokesman for Toyota initially said: “Anthony Davidson was taken to the circuit medical centre following his accident during the Le Mans 24 Hours.
“Doctors at the circuit have confirmed that Anthony is suffering from shock and back pain, however there are no signs of any injuries and he is walking and talking with no problems.
“He will be taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks but the team is relieved and happy to hear he is OK.”
Former Formula One driver Sebastien Buemi, a teammate of Davidson’s, said the car had been quick before the crash.
“We started very well. We lost a bit of time to the leaders but we still had good pace,” he said.
“I had a really good quadruple stint and was able to catch up. I was satisfied with my performance and we clearly showed that the car is quick.
“However, the most important thing at the moment is that Anthony is well. Unfortunately these kind of incidents happen in motor racing.”