» Aspiring racer injured in massive smash

$Aspiring F1 racer Richie Stanaway suffered two fractured vertebrae in a frightening accident at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend$

Our second ‘Air Lotus’ incident in the space of a fortnight!

New Zealand’s best Formula 1 prospect Richie Stanaway has suffered a major setback to his 2012 campaign after the Kiwi was injured in a frightening accident in last weekend’s Formula Renault 3.5 round at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Lotus driver was launched over the rear of a rival’s car on the approach to the Les Combes chicane, flying vertically for a short distance before landing heavily on his wheels.

The 20-year-old was extricated from his car and taken to hospital where X-rays confirmed he had sustained two fractured vertebrae. He was transferred to France for corrective surgery, which has since been performed. He will remain out of action “for several weeks”, his management team has confirmed.

Stanaway shot to prominence after winning last year’s German Formula 3 title, and then winning on debut at Spa-Francorchamps when he was given a short-notice call-up to compete a partial campaign in the GP3 championship.

We certainly with Richie a speedy recovery!