F3 drivers given all-clear after latest scary crash at Spa circuit

Jamie Woodhouse
Formula 3 cars in the pit lane at Spa. Belgium, August 2022.

Formula 3 cars lined-up in the pit lane at Spa-Francorchamps. Belgium, August 2022.

Spa sadly witnessed another horrifying crash, this time in Formula 3, but fortunately there were no injuries suffered.

In recent years the Spa track, host of the Belgian Grand Prix, has produced a string of nasty collisions on a Formula 1 race weekend, which in 2019 tragically resulted in Anthoine Hubert losing his life as a result of a crash while racing in Formula 2.

Back in 2021 there were major shunts in both W Series and Formula 1 qualifying, drivers fortunately unhurt after a multi-car pile-up in the W Series, while Lando Norris was unharmed by a heavy hit into the barriers at Eau Rouge as the rain intensified.

Formula 1 is now back at Spa for the 2022 race weekend, and as part of the support race schedule, Formula 3 held its first race of the weekend on Saturday prior to the final Formula 1 practice session.

 

 

But on Lap 6 Zane Maloney would collide with Oliver Goethe on the exit of Blanchimont as both cars were sent through the newly laid gravel trap and into the barrier at speed.

Maloney would be flipped upside down by the contact with the barrier, landing on top of Goethe’s car as it flew through the scene.

Medical personnel were on the scene quickly, but mercifully neither driver needed assistance in getting out of their cars, or what was left of them.

Without the Halo surrounding the cockpit, it is likely that both Maloney and Goethe could have faced a very different outcome, notching up two more potential lives saved by the device.

In a social media statement, Goethe’s Campos Racing team would confirm that their driver was okay after visiting the medical centre, revealing that he had suffered only some bruising on his hands.

“We are in the medical centre, Oliver Goethe is ok,” the team tweeted. “Some small bruises on the hands but he is ok.”

After a red flag period to repair the barrier, the sprint race would resume, Ferrari-backed Prema driver Oliver Bearman going on to take his first victory in the series.