Felix Rosenqvist displayed encouraging pace as the FIA Formula 3 European Championship sprung back to life at Imola (Italy) following a two-month hiatus this weekend – and escaped serious injury in the wake of a massive crash on Sunday afternoon.
The accident occurred in the third and final race of the meeting, when Rosenqvist made contact with Britain’s Jordan King as the duo headed into the Tamburello chicane on lap eleven. Rosenqvist’s Mücke Motorsport Dallara got airborne at a speed of 250 km/h, and was sent flying into the barriers on the outside of the corner.
The 23-year-old Swede was taken to the circuit medical centre, from which he was later released. Rosenqvist suffered a headache and bruised right arm, but otherwise escaped largely unscathed.
Earlier in the weekend, Rosenqvist had finished fourth in Saturday’s Race 1, an event in which he also set the outright fastest lap.
“That is the biggest crash I’ve ever had,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “I’m pretty OK, but I’ve got a real headache and my right arm is a bit bruised. It could have been a lot worse, though, so I’m quite thankful. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but it felt like I was running out of room on the outside of Jordan, and then we suddenly banged wheels. Pace-wise, this was one of our strongest weekends this year, which is promising with the next race just around the corner. I will give absolutely everything I have to finish the season off as strongly as possible.”
Rosenqvist and his FIA Formula 3 European Championship rivals will be back in action again next weekend, as they turn their attention towards the 2014 finale at German Grand Prix venue Hockenheim.