GT1 lady driver recovering after high-speed crash

Abu Dhabi: Natacha Gachnang, the Matech Competition driver, who was involved in a high-speed crash during Friday’s GT1 World Championship's Qualifying round at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is recovering in Shaikh Khalifa Hospital after a successful operation.

Gachnang suffered a double compound fracture of her right leg and was operated upon at the hospital. The FIA Medical Delegate reported that the accident was not life-threatening and the Swiss driver’s condition is reported to be stable.

The incident took place during the first Qualifying session, at the end of the straight at Turn 8 of the Yas Marina Circuit, which is the fastest part of the circuit where the drivers are approaching at over 260 kmh. Gachnang is believed to have failed to negotiate the corner and went down the escape road, hitting the safety barriers.

In explaining the accident, the team said that at the braking point at the end of the straight, she started braking as normal. A leak was reported in the rear brake circuit which required Gachnang to press back hard on the brake, according to their explanation put out on the official website.

When putting pressure on the brake pedal Gachnang's foot also pressed the accelerator pedal. The front brake circuit continued to function correctly but the combination of factors led to Gachnang failing to negotiate the corner, the team confirmed.

It is unclear when Gachnang will return to the cockpit.

A TV cameraman was also injured while filming the event from Turn 8. The cameraman, Rob Hurdman from Greenlight Television, was hit by his camera, suffering a suspected broken nose. He was taken to the circuit Medical Centre for treatment and was taken to hospital by road ambulance for precautionary checks.

Qualifying results

Pos

Car

Class

Drivers

Car

Time

Laps

Gap

Avg
speed

1

13

GT1

Zuber / Hennerici

Corvette Z06

02:06.780

7

0.000

158

2

9

GT1

Makowiecki / Dumas

Aston Martin DB9

02:07.705

3

0.925

157

3

2

GT1

Bernoldi / Ramos

Maserati MC12

02:07.763

4

0.058

156

4

11

GT1

Maassen / Müller

Corvette Z06

02:08.049

5

0.286

156

5

1

GT1

Bertolini / Bartels

Maserati MC12

02:08.070

4

0.021

156

6

12

GT1

Salo / Kuismanen

Corvette Z06

02:08.078

4

0.008

156

7

24

GT1

Kox / Haase

Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S

02:08.090

7

0.012

156

8

7

GT1

Turner / Enge

Aston Martin DB9

02:08.143

5

0.053

156

9

23

GT1

Krumm / Dumbreck

Nissan GT - R

02:08.287

7

0.144

156

10

40

GT1

Leinders / Martin

Ford GT Matech

02:08.322

8

0.035

156

11

5

GT1

Mutsch / Grosjean

Ford GT Matech

02:08.463

6

0.141

156

12

33

GT1

Margaritis / Heger

Maserati MC12

02:08.494

7

0.031

156

13

4

GT1

Ara / Nilsson

Nissan GT - R

02:08.610

7

0.116

156

14

3

GT1

Wendlinger / Moser

Nissan GT - R

02:08.652

7

0.042

155

15

41

GT1

Palttala / Kuppens

Ford GT Matech

02:08.737

7

0.085

155

16

34

GT1

Bobbi / Longin

Maserati MC12

02:08.787

6

0.050

155

17

37

GT1

Jäger / Basseng

Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S

02:08.798

6

0.011

155

18

10

GT1

Piccione / Hirschi

Aston Martin DB9

02:09.046

7

0.248

155

19

22

GT1

Hughes / Campbell-Walter

Nissan GT - R

02:09.446

6

0.400

154

20

8

GT1

Nygaard / Mücke

Aston Martin DB9

02:09.629

6

0.183

154

21

6

GT1

Gachnang / Allemann

Ford GT Matech

02:09.964

6

0.335

154

22

25

GT1

Zonta / Daniel

Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S

02:10.261

7

0.297

153

23

38

GT1

Pastorelli / Schwager

Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S

02:10.628

8

0.367

153

24

14

GT1

Hezemans / Piccini

Corvette Z06

02:16.352

3

5.724

147