F1 reserve Aitken feels ‘lucky’ as he reveals injuries in hospital update

Williams Formula 1 reserve Jack Aitken says he feels “quite lucky” in an update from hospital following his huge GT crash at the Spa 24 Hours in Belgium.

Lewis Larkam

01 Aug 2021

Jack Aitken (GBR) / (KOR) Williams Racing.
© xpbimages.com

Aitken was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being involved in a horrific multi-car shunt at Raidillon during the early stages of the Spa 24 Hours race on Saturday.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the accident, the British racer revealed he has broken his collarbone and fractured a vertebrae as he thanked well-wishers and paid tribute to medical staff.

“First of all, thank you to everyone who has supported me in the last 16 hours or so,” Aitken wrote on social media.

“From the marshals, medical staff trackside and at the hospital, my wonderful team, fellow drivers and all of your sending messages. All things considered I feel fine, and quite lucky.

“I’ve broken my collarbone, and fractured a vertebrae but it’s stable fortunately. The aim now is to get back to the UK and start to recover as best as possible, and be back in the car soon. I’m sure with the people around me I’ll manage it just fine!

“Finally, a thank you to Lamborghini Squadra Corse for building a damn strong chassis. My thoughts also go out to the marshal that lost their life yesterday at Brands Hatch.”

First of all, thank you to everyone who has supported me in the last 16 hours or so, from the marshalls, medical staff trackside and at the hospital, my wonderful team, fellow drivers and all of you sending messages. All things considered I feel fine, and quite lucky. pic.twitter.com/BvTpwrHzI6
— Jack Aitken - 한세용 (@JaitkenRacer) August 1, 2021

All four drivers underwent an initial assessment at the circuit medical centre, with Aitken and Ferrari factory driver Davide Rigon taken to hospital for further checks. Rigon has since been discharged.

The other drivers involved - Kevin Estre and Franck Perera - were released from the circuit medical centre and returned to their teams.

Factory Porsche driver Laurens Vanthoor has also been hospitalised following an accident in the paddock during the event.

The Belgian racer explained he had been knocked over by a quad bike in the paddock while riding his scooter.

"I landed heavily on my head and have multiple wounds in my face,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’m doing fine but currently at the hospital for further checks and stitches."