F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Aitken suffers fractured collarbone and vertebra in Spa crash

Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken suffered a broken collarbone and fractured vertebra in a crash on Saturday at the Spa 24 Hours that involved three other drivers at the top of Raidillon.

Aitken's Emil Frey Lamborghini hit the barriers on the left side of the track on the exit of Raidillon but came to a standstill in the middle of the track and at the top of blind crest.

The Briton's car was unfortunately hit by teammate Franck Perera's Lamborghini, while Davide Rigon's Ferrari and Kevin Estre's Porsche also ploughed hopelessly into the melee.

Aiken and Rigon were airlifted to hospital, although they had not suffered "life-threatening injuries" as announced by the organizer on Saturday evening.

However, Aitken remained in the doctors' care overnight, having been diagnosed with a broken collarbone and a fractured vertebra.

The 25-year-old, who made his F1 debut with Williams last year in Bahrain, considered himself lucky to have escaped the massive crash with limited injurie.

"All things considered I feel fine, and quite lucky," said Aitken, who is racing in the GT World Challenge series this year as well as in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with HWA Racelab.

"I’m also sorry for my team-mates that we didn’t get to compete, and for the other cars involved.

"The aim now is to get back to the UK and start to recover as best as possible and be back in the car soon. I’m sure with the people around me I’ll manage it just fine!"

Both Estre and Perea were cleared at the track's medical center, but the works Porsche driver, racing at Spa for the Rutronik team admitted it had been a close call as he had not had any time to react to the carnage at the top of the hill, an incident reminiscent of the crash that had cost the life of unfortunate F2 racer Anthoine Hubert at Spa in 2019.

"Suddenly I saw a lot of smoke and a lot of debris in front of me over the crest," explained Estre.

"When I braked, I didn't really know where to go, cause I couldn't really see if there was a car stopped or anything.

"I just saw debris and some smoke. I stayed on my line, but then apparently I hit the Lamborghini of Jack Aitken on the right side.

"It was quite a big hit, which spun me and brought me into the barrier. So I think that's how it happened. But I'm not sure yet. As I said, I couldn't really see."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Krack sets the record straight: ‘No need to make peace with Honda’

The paddock is never short on whispers, and the current chatter surrounding the Aston Martin-Honda…

5 hours ago

Haas F1 reserve Doohan finds second racing home for 2026

Haas F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan is charting a new path – and this time,…

6 hours ago

Leclerc points to one crucial area holding Ferrari back

After another hard-fought podium at Suzuka, Charles Leclerc has pointed directly at Ferrari’s flaw –…

8 hours ago

No April Fools prank by Montoya on Schumacher

Although the Formula 1 season is typically well underway by this point of the year,…

9 hours ago

A legend reborn: Lola Cars revives iconic T70 for road and track

The soul of 1965 has officially broken cover in the 21st century. Sitting in solemn…

10 hours ago

Brundle drops his sharp verdict on Verstappen retirement talk

Max Verstappen is making noise again – but this time, it’s not from the front…

12 hours ago