The Tyrolean racing driver Lucas Auer is in the hospital after a serious accident while training for the 24-hour race in Daytona. On Thursday, the pole position man in the GTD class went too wide with his Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the traditional circuit in Florida and crashed into the barriers. According to his management, Auer was responsive and conscious after the accident, but complained of pain.
According to the race organizer, Auer was taken to a local hospital. Further investigations should provide information about the extent of the injuries. His car sustained considerable damage in the front area when it crashed into the pit exit wall. It was initially unclear whether the rescue workers also had to remove the roof to free the 28-year-old from the car.
After setting the best time in qualifying, Auer was also the fastest driver in his class in first practice for the 24-hour classic on Thursday before his accident. With the nephew of Formula 1 legend Gerhard Berger, the German Philip Ellis, the American Russell Ward and the Dutchman Indy Dontje should have been at the start in Daytona.
