Audi R18 suffers huge crash during Le Mans practice, driver conscious and alert
Wed, 11 Jun 2014Loic Duval, driver of the #1 Audi R18 E-tron Quattro, suffered a massive crash today during free practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Duval's car reportedly went off track backwards at high speed near the Porsche Curves and flew into the retaining fence. There is no video of the actual crash at the moment, but a video of the aftermath (viewable below) shows significant damage to the Audi and to the fence. The wall nearby the car appears unaffected.
Thankfully, it occurred quite close to a marshal's stand, and they were present almost immediately after the incident. Both the official press release from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a tweet from Audi Sport (below) indicated that Duval was conscious after the crash, and he was taken by ambulance to the medical center and then to the hospital. The press release says: "His condition is encouraging." However, any injuries he might have sustained are unknown at this time. After the crash, the course was red flagged, and practice resumed about 50 minutes later.
Duval is alert. He will be transported from the Medical Center to the hospital for further examinations #R18 #LM24 @FIAWEC @24hoursoflemans
- Audi Sport (@Audi__Sport) June 11, 2014
Audi had three R18s entered for the historic race, but the #1 car doesn't appear to be in repairable condition following this crash. Scroll down to watch the video showing what happened afterwards (it's not in English) and read the brief official press release about the accident. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
LE MANS 24 HOURS - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Following the accident occurred during the free practice session, here is the official press release of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest.
At 17h05, today Wednesday 11 June, the No.1 Audi left the track at very high speed at the Porsche Curves, at Marshals Post No.131. The incident occurred during the free practice session for the 82nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Conscious, the driver was taken into the care of the ACO's Medical Services, extracted from the car to an ambulance and then immediately transported to the Le Mans's Centre Hospitalier where he will undergo further examination.
His condition is encouraging.
The tests recommenced at 17h55.
By Chris Bruce
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