Fan injured in "freak accident" by debris from Magnussen crash at Australian GP

03 April 2023 , 14:29

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Flying debris from Kevin Magnussen's car struck a fan in Sunday's race (Image: Sky Sports)

A Formula 1 fan was left with a bleeding arm after being struck by flying debris from Kevin Magnussen 's car at the Australian Grand Prix.

Magnussen crashed his Haas in the closing stages of a chaotic and controversial race in Melbourne, colliding with the track-side barrier and losing his rear-right wheel. The Dane was running in 12th for Haas when he brushed the barrier and his race-ending accident caused the second of three red flags in a frenzied finale.

And while Magnussen claimed "he didn't even feel" the impact of the crash, there was concern for one spectator in the stands, who was struck by a piece of flying carbon fibre. Injured fan Will Street was standing on the hill with his fiancee behind the fencing near turn two, and claimed he was lucky to escape with just a cut from the debris.

He told local radio station 3AW: "It slapped me in the arm and I was just standing there bleeding," he said. "My arm was covering where my neck would’ve been, but if that had hit my fiancée, it would’ve got her right in the head.

"I realised how big it was and how heavy it was. Part of it was shredded and really sharp, if it hit me in a different angle, it could’ve been horrendous." The accident raised questions about the safety protocols at the Albert Park circuit.

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The loose wheel caused no damage but a flying piece of debris flew over the fencing and into the crowd (Sky Sports)

But Australian GP Corporation boss Andrew Westacott told reporters after the race that the incident looked like a "freak one-off", as he confirmed an investigation was already taking place.

“We actually coincidentally had one of our engineering staff there who saw it, and anecdotally it would appear that debris carbon fibre from the wheel hub has shot 20 metres or so in the air, shot up, landed down and lacerated a gentleman's arm,” he said.

"Our people were aware of the incident. It looks as if it was a freak one-off, because you can't necessarily have these debris fences going 20 metres in the air. The debris fences are consistent in height around the world."

Westacott added: “We're compliant in our FIA regulations, but like everything in motorsport, you do debriefs at the end of the event and see what you can do to improve. I hope the guy is okay. It's a reminder that safety is paramount when it comes to Formula One."

Ben Parsons