Schumacher Breaks Leg At Silverstone.
Michael Schumacher suffered a broken right leg in a 130mph accident on the first lap of the British Grand Prix.
The German Ferrari driver speared off the circuit at the end of the flat-out Hangar Straight as the field set off on its first lap, ploughing across the gravel trap and slamming into the tyre barrier. Schumacher had made a bad start, and was attempting to re-pass team-mate Eddie Irvine when the incident occurred.
Michael Schumacher suffered a broken right leg in a 130mph accident on the first lap of the British Grand Prix.
The German Ferrari driver speared off the circuit at the end of the flat-out Hangar Straight as the field set off on its first lap, ploughing across the gravel trap and slamming into the tyre barrier. Schumacher had made a bad start, and was attempting to re-pass team-mate Eddie Irvine when the incident occurred.
Medical staff were quickly on the scene, erecting a screen around the stricken car as its driver was treated. Schumacher was then taken to the circuit's medical centre, and airlifted to hospital in Northampton, all the while being shielded from cameras and members of the media.
Ironically, the race had already been red-flagged at the time of the accident, as both Jacques Villeneuve and Alex Zanardi had failed to get away from the grid.
"Michael has a broken leg," confirmed a spokesman for the FIA, "but he is fully conscious and stable, and has been airlifted to hospital."
A full statement on Schumacher's condition was expected at around four o'clock UK time.
