Peter Zhi Cong Li survives shocking crash in Austrian F3 race as driver manages to luckily escape with broken heel bones. Chinese driver was 'alert and speaking with team personnel' on Saturday afternoon after suffering multiple broken heel bones and four fractured vertebrae in a shocking crash during a Formula 3 European Championship race in Austria.
Li was airlifted to hospital with suspected head and back injuries along with his American team-mate Ryan Tveter, who sustained heavy knee bruising, following the incident in race one at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
American Tveter went off the track and drove through a gravel trap before rejoining at turn five, leaving a huge cloud of dust behind him. Carlin colleague Li - completely unsighted - smashed into the back of him, launching the Chinese's car into the air and rolling several times before landing upside down.
Pedro Piquet then also collided with Tveter's car, sending the Brazilian sliding off the circuit and into the same gravel trap as Li.
A statement from the Carlin team read: 'Having been taken to hospital by ambulance, Ryan has been discharged with heavy bruising to his knee. Following initial assessment at the medical centre, Peter was transferred to a University hospital by helicopter. Peter is undergoing treatment for multiple broken bones in his heel, which will require surgery in the near future. Peter has also been diagnosed with four fractured vertebrae which do not require surgery. While suffering with other bruising and small injuries, Peter is alert and speaking with team personnel.'
Tveter took to Twitter after being discharged from hospital to wish his colleague well, saying both had been 'lucky'.
'Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes after today's heavy accident. Released from hospital w/a badly bruised knee, but all ok,' he posted. All thoughts are with my teammate Peter who is currently in Graz hospital with a few broken bones. Both of us are very lucky. Thanks to the @fia, @DallaraGroup, @CarlinRacing and all those who have pushed forward safety in racing. Because of them we're still here.'
