Da Matta badly injured in crash

Jenjie · 04-08-2006, 11:48 PM

Brazilian Cristiano da Matta had surgery to remove a ruptured blood vessel in his head after a collision with a deer during Champ Car testing.
The former Toyota F1 driver, 32, is in intensive care after the crash at the Road America track in Wisconsin.

Da Matta has 12 Champ Car victories and claimed the series title in 2002.

Eye-witness reports suggest he collided with the deer head on, with the animal hitting his head as his car crashed into the barriers at full speed.

The deer had run from the woods onto the Elkhart Lake track near turn six, track officials said.

Da Matta underwent emergency surgery on Thursday for a subdural hematoma at the Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisconsin.

"Cristiano da Matta continues to recover from a serious head injury sustained yesterday during Champ Car Open Testing at Road America," Champ Car director of medical affairs Chris Pinderski said in a statement on Friday.

Da Matta competed in 28 grands prix for Toyota in 2003 and 2004, scoring 13 points.

The Toyota team issued a statement from the Hungaroring, venue for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

It read: "When he was with Toyota, Cristiano was always a fighter and everyone involved in the team wishes him the best as he fights for his recovery."

Da Matta's RuSport team have withdrawn his team-mate, Yorkshireman Justin Wilson, from the remainder of the testing session.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/5244386.stm

Marky · 05-08-2006, 12:14 AM

I read about this on ceefax. Hope he makes a full recovery.

busybeeburns · 05-08-2006, 12:30 AM

his helmet will probably have saved his life

General Smut · 05-08-2006, 01:47 AM

That sucks, he is one of my favourites. Hes just joined the team as well. awful luck.

I remember when Stefan Johansson hit a deer in F1 in Austria, totally destroyed the car but he was fine - i think theres a video out there.

04-08-2006, 11:48 PM	#1
Jenjie PA to SammyBeeBurns Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 5,805 My Mood: Location: at Coldplaying.com Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 35 Thanked 90 Times in 41 Posts	Da Matta badly injured in crash Brazilian Cristiano da Matta had surgery to remove a ruptured blood vessel in his head after a collision with a deer during Champ Car testing. The former Toyota F1 driver, 32, is in intensive care after the crash at the Road America track in Wisconsin. Da Matta has 12 Champ Car victories and claimed the series title in 2002. Eye-witness reports suggest he collided with the deer head on, with the animal hitting his head as his car crashed into the barriers at full speed. The deer had run from the woods onto the Elkhart Lake track near turn six, track officials said. Da Matta underwent emergency surgery on Thursday for a subdural hematoma at the Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisconsin. "Cristiano da Matta continues to recover from a serious head injury sustained yesterday during Champ Car Open Testing at Road America," Champ Car director of medical affairs Chris Pinderski said in a statement on Friday. Da Matta competed in 28 grands prix for Toyota in 2003 and 2004, scoring 13 points. The Toyota team issued a statement from the Hungaroring, venue for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. It read: "When he was with Toyota, Cristiano was always a fighter and everyone involved in the team wishes him the best as he fights for his recovery." Da Matta's RuSport team have withdrawn his team-mate, Yorkshireman Justin Wilson, from the remainder of the testing session. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/5244386.stm __________________ "The fat lady has sung and the world's Vida has been well and truly Viva-ed." - R#42 14th March 2010 I've got my "I Heart Coldplaying.com, It's My Life" knickers in a twist!!! 2012: 9&10 June - Manchester Etihad; 2011: 4 Dec - MEN Arena 2010: 25 Nov - Boat Trip 2009: 30 Jan - Absolute Radio; 18 Feb - War Child; 19 Sep - Wembley 2008: 11&12 Dec - MEN Arena 2005: 4&5 July - Reebok Stadium; 19 Dec - MEN Arena 2003: 14 Apr - MEN Arena 2002: 20 June - Mountford Hall; 11 Oct - MEN Arena

05-08-2006, 01:47 AM	#4
General Smut Love Is Hell Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,092 Location: London Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That sucks, he is one of my favourites. Hes just joined the team as well. awful luck. I remember when Stefan Johansson hit a deer in F1 in Austria, totally destroyed the car but he was fine - i think theres a video out there. __________________ I am in the twilight of my youth, not that I'm going to remember...

05-08-2006, 12:14 AM	#2
Marky cmuptre litterset \o/ Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,203 Location: England Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I read about this on ceefax. Hope he makes a full recovery.

05-08-2006, 12:30 AM	#3
busybeeburns mr coldplaying himself Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 46,346 My Mood: Location: test Gender: Country: Seen CP: 20 times Fav. CP album: X&Y Fav. CP song: GPASUYF Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 5 Thanks given: 1,554 Thanked 941 Times in 423 Posts	his helmet will probably have saved his life