Ericsson has spectacular accident during second practice

  • Published on 31 Aug 2018 15:11
  • comments 5
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Marcus Ericsson suffered a huge accident during the second practice session at Monza. In the early stages of the session, the Swede was heading into Turn 1 before his car snapped to the left, causing him to hit into the barriers and barrel roll down an escape route.

The crash appeared to be caused by a DRS failure, as the Sauber's rear wing was open as Ericsson hit the brakes. The system is supposed to automatically close once it senses pressure on the brake pedal. It is the second DRS failure in a week, as Kimi Raikkonen was forced to retire from the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend due to a similar issue.

Ericsson hit the barriers hard, however there was no major damage done to them. The 27-year-old was able to climb out of his wrecked car by himself, but was immediately taken to the medical centre. Sauber is investigating the issue, with Charles Leclerc also suffering from a DRS issue.

Ericsson is likely to take new engine parts and a gearbox following the accident, which will result in a grid penalty. After his top-ten finish at Spa, he was aiming to score points this weekend at Alfa Romeo's [Sauber's title sponsor] home Grand Prix.

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • The last time Ericsson had a similar crash with braking with DRS open, he just forgot to close it (was it Silverstone?). Was it really a failure this time or just same mistake?

    • + 0
    • Aug 31 2018 - 15:54
    • Kean

      Posts: 692

      After Silverstone they made sure that the DRS would close as soon as you eased of the throttle. The steering wheel was pointing straight when the car veered off to the left. Highly likely it was technical failure and not a driver mistake.

      • + 0
      • Aug 31 2018 - 16:35
  • Really glad he's okay. Very strange how it was able to flip over like that

    • + 0
    • Aug 31 2018 - 16:43
    • Kean

      Posts: 692

      Watching FP2 now, Leclerc went out to test his DRS and it stayed open also. Likely the Monza spec rear wing that is faulty.

      • + 0
      • Aug 31 2018 - 16:53
    • I think it is the strength of the wheel tethers that made the car flip... the wheels dug in and sent the car in to a roll.
      Great to see he walked away from it!

      • + 0
      • Aug 31 2018 - 19:26

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alfa Romeo Racing
  • Points 849
  • Podiums 26
  • Grand Prix 139
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Oct 17 1979 (44)
  • Place of b. Espoo, FI
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar