Ferrari mechanic suffers broken leg after pitstop blunder

A Ferrari mechanic was taken to hospital in Bahrain with a fractured shinbone and fibula following a pitstop error involving Kimi Raikkonen.

The Finn had stopped for a second tyre change but was released before the rear right tyre had been dismounted and changed.

The crew member assigned to the rear right corner was hit by the SF71-H as it accelerated away. Raikkonen was immediately ordered to stop however, extracting himself from his car on the pitlane and retiring from the race.

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The Scuderia driver confirmed that he moved away when the green light was turned on, relieving himself from any responsibility for the mishap.

"I go when the light is green, I don’t see what happens behind, and unfortunately he was hurt," Raikkonen told Sky Sports.

"My job is to go when the light changes, more than that I don’t know. I don’t know what shape he’s in, for sure it’s not great for him," he added.

It was the second unsafe release of the weekend for the Ferrari and Raikkonen. The team was hit with a fine after Friday's mishap but the FIA may not be as lenient following today's blunder which injured a mechanic.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.