Honorary starter Amos Brown (a popular local Indianapolis radio presenter) waved the green flag at noon on Thursday, and it was a sight many had started to believe they might never live long enough to see again at the 2011 Indianapolis 500 after a depressing week of weather. But finally, the grateful teams and drivers were able to get back to work at long last.
Unfortunately, the proceedings were under caution just 25 minutes into the session, after a major crash for Simona de Silvestro. The suspension of her #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy HVM car appeared to break going into turn 3, sending her into the wall. The car ended up sideways, and the aerodynamic elements then conspired to lift the car airborne on two separate occasions.
The second time was at the entry of turn 4, which resulted in the car getting flipped upside down by contact with the SAFER barrier and the catch fence. The car ground to a halt like that, leaving a trail of burning gas as the car started to catch fire.
Simona was able to extricate herself with assistance and walked away under her own power, but she had suffered second degree burns on the back of her right hand and superficial burns on the other which required hospital treatment. Her injuries will be reviewed in the morning by IndyCar doctors to see whether she is able to resume practice, or whether she will be sidelined - possibly for the whole of the qualifying weekend.
Friday 20 May 2011
Indycar,Qualifying Indy 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Live 21 May 2011
20:34
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