A1GP news

Beatriz doing fine after heavy crash

A1 Team Brazil's Ana Beatriz said that her 250 km/hour smash in rookie practice this morning was the biggest of her racing career. The silver Brazilian car scrubbed off very little speed after a braking problem meant she careered head first into the tyre barriers, having shot over the gravel trap at the end of the main straight.. Beatriz said she had no warning of the smash, which occurred 13 minutes into the second half hour of this morning's rookie practice.

The safety cell of the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car withstood the huge force of the impact, and Beatriz was able to walk from the car unaided. The only injury she sustained was a small bruise to her nose as the helmet hit the steering wheel.

Beatriz was competing in only her second rookie practice for the team, having been part of the squad in Shanghai in Season Two.

"I'm physically fine," Beatriz told A1GP.com after the accident. "When I got out I was more worried about the car than myself! I want the team to do well so it was disappointment. I was impressed with the way the car held up because I thought the front of the car was done in.

"I'm used to racing superfast ovals but I never had a big crash like that. It was a big impact. I could see the tyres right in front of me when I crashed.

"I was just scared at that moment when I couldn't brake. I realised I was going to crash and I thought I had to do something and I moved my arms towards me.

"In karts I have broken arms still holding the steering wheel on impact. I just had to wait for it to happen."

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