Ralf fit for Indy despite crash

Ralf Schumacher will be fit to race in this weekend’s United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis despite being taken to hospital following a crash in practice.

The Toyota driver suffered a repeat of his 2004 accident on the banked final turn at Indianapolis, with a puncture pitching him into the concrete wall at high speed.

His car was destroyed but Schumacher was able to jump clear of the wreckage without injury, unlike his smash 12 months ago which left him with broken bones in his back.

However, he complained of an eye problem and was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and also given a check-up to confirm no other injuries were sustained in the impact.

Toyota had been unable to confirm Schumacher’s continued participation in this weekend’s event until word was received from the hospital around 6.30pm local time, 12.30am in Ireland.

Schumacher said: “Thankfully I am feeling okay but that was quite a big accident. Lightning is supposed not to strike twice in the same place but on this occasion I guess that does not apply to me.

“I was approaching the last corner when I felt something go wrong on the left-hand side. We will have to investigate exactly what happened and why.”

Michael Schumacher was pleased that safety modifications to the wall made in the aftermath of last year’s crash helped protect his brother.

The energy-absorbing Safer barrier was extended to cover Schumacher’s 2004 point of impact and that helped minimise the damage in practice.

Michael said: “I was just coming back to the pits when that happened so the first thing I knew about it was seeing him get out of the car unaided and walk away.

“I am glad he is okay and also glad that the modifications we asked to be made to the wall were carried out after his accident there last year.”