Ralf Schumacher goes home after crash

Ralf Schumacher has returned home to Austria after being released from hospital.

The BMW Williams driver damaged his back following a smash into a wall, at around 200mph, during Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 28-year-old German was quickly attended to after his car had come to rest in the middle of the circuit.

Doctors spent 11 minutes on the scene of the accident before eventually taking him to the track medical centre, and then onto the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

He will not take part in Williams testing this week and it is still unclear whether he will be return for the French GP on July 4.

A statement released by Williams read: “After examination by medical staff this morning, he has been discharged and is flying home to Salzburg.

“Ralf is well, but has a bruised back and strained back muscles. He will not be taking part in scheduled testing duties for the team, due to commence on Wednesday in Jerez.”