Firman out of Hungarian Grand Prix

Ralph Firman is out of tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix after suffering concussion and a fractured heel during a horrifying 150mph smash in the first of today’s free practice sessions.

Jordan test driver Zsolt Baumgartner will now race after the Permanent Bureau of the Formula One Commission, which includes president Max Mosley and supremo Bernie Ecclestone, rushed through the team’s application for a necessary superlicence.

Hungarian Baumgartner, currently competing in F3000, was deemed to have completed more than the 300 kilometres in testing required to be granted the superlicence.

It means he will compete alongside the sport’s best in front of his home crowd, starting with this afternoon’s all-important second qualifying run.

Jordan said: “Ralph is going to stay in hospital for 24 hours for observation which is perfectly routine.

“Professor (Sid) Watkins, the FIA Medical Delegate, reported Ralph made a quick recovery and recognised the Prof at the scene of the accident. The head rest did a superb job.

“We are now delighted to confirm Zsolt as a replacement.”

On one of the fastest parts of the Hungaroring circuit, the rear wing of Firman’s Jordan alarmingly became detached and flew into the air, leaving it with no downforce which is vital to keeping the car on the track.

Out of control, the Jordan initially pirouetted through 360 degrees and started to career backwards before eventually slamming sideways into a tyre wall with incredible force.

Technical director Gary Anderson confirmed that following an immediate investigation it was revealed the accident “was caused by a failure of the wing fixing”.

Firman briefly sat motionless for a few heart-stopping moments before quickly being attended to by trackside marshals, with the 45 minute session swiftly brought to a halt.

The shunt was easily worse than that for Jenson Button during Saturday’s second practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season, an accident which resulted in the 23-year-old missing that race.

In the following few minutes it became apparent Firman had escaped serious injury as he initially clambered from the battered Jordan unaided, although he was obviously very shaken.

After being placed on a stretcher he then removed his helmet before being taken to the track’s medical centre by ambulance to be checked over by Professor Watkins, giving a wave to indicate he was okay as he was wheeled in.

Following a 15 minute examination, the 28-year-old from Norwich was then transported to a nearby Budapest hospital by helicopter for the scans and x-rays which showed the concussion and fracture.

After the car and the recovered wing had been taken back to Jordan’s garage, the decision was taken not to allow Giancarlo Fisichella to take to the track for the closing 15 minutes after the session was restarted following a half hour delay.

The Italian did take part in the second and final session of the day soon after, with the team completing necessary checks as Anderson added: “We waited until we got the car back to make a full examination.

“We are happy that it will not happen again and so we were able to send Giancarlo out.”

But with Firman sustaining a fracture, a doubt is now cast as to whether he will be able to compete in the final three grands prix of the season following tomorrow’s event.