Flörsch to undergo surgery after suffering spinal fracture

Formula 3 racer Sophia Flörsch will undergo surgery on Monday after suffering a spinal fracture in a high-speed crash in Sunday's Macau Grand Prix.

Flörsch crashed out of the race on the restart following an early Safety Car period, with her Van Amersfoort Racing-run car getting airborne and launching over another car before going into the catch fencing and surrounding area at the exit of Lisboa.

The race was immediately red flagged to allow officials to tend to the crash site, with the FIA issuing a short statement regarding Flörsch's condition over an hour after the incident.

"A serious incident has occurred on Lap 4 of the 2018 FIA F3 World Cup at Macau involving car #25 Sophia Flörsch (GER)," the statement reads.

"Following evaluation by medical staff, the driver is conscious and has subsequently been taken to hospital for further evaluation."

In a subsequent statement issued by the Macau Grand Prix organisers, it was confirmed that four other people had been taken to hospital following the incident, all of whom were conscious. Besides Flörsch, one other driver has been hospitalised, as have two photographers and one marshal.

A medical bulletin was issued by the Macau Grand Prix later in the day that revealed that Flörsch had sustained a spinal fracture in the accident, and that she would remain in the Conde S. Januario General Hospital for further observation.

Official statement regarding @sophiafloersch's accident at the #MacauGP. pic.twitter.com/txkfJkePXq

— VanAmersfoortRacing (@VARmotorsport) November 18, 2018

Chief medical officer Wai Sin Chan also confirmed the other driver involved in the incident, Sho Tsuboi, had been admitted to hospital after reporting lumbar pain.

Flörsch took to Twitter in the aftermath of the incident to confirm that she would undergo surgery on Monday, and thanked the motorsport community for its support.

"Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into surgery tomorrow morning," she tweeted.

"Thanks to the @fia and @hwaag_official @MercedesAMGF1 who are taking great care of me. Thanks to everybody for the supporting messages. Update soon."

Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into Surgery tomorow morning. Thanks to the @fia and @hwaag_official @MercedesAMGF1 who are taking great care of me.
Thanks to everybody for the Supporting messages.
Update soon.

— Sophia Floersch (@SophiaFloersch) November 18, 2018