The ‘Swiss Miss’ suffered second-degree burns on her right hand and superficial burns on her left hand, when her HVM runner hit the SAFER Barrier in turn 3, before hurtling toward the turn four SAFER Barrier.
It has not yet been confirmed as to whether de Silvestro will be fully fit to take part in this weekend’s qualifying sessions. Should she not be in a position to run during qualifying, another river can take her place, as it is the car that qualifies rather than the driver.
As the car turned over on its roof, the lower part of the nose connected with the turn four catch fencing briefly, but with its momentum stalled, the car slid back down the track.
The Dallara caught fire as it came to a stop, causing burns to de Silvestro’s hands; however she left the scene without requiring assistance, to be sent to hospital for further check ups. There was further luck for de Silvestro for it appears as if the roll hoop broke during the incident.
Running was halted for a time while the catch fencing was repaired. It is a blow for the HVM pilot, whose best lap speed of 222.192 mph leaves her in the bottom half of the time sheets.
Practice has been severely curtailed so far this week, thanks to inclement weather and this incident may leave de Silvestro on the backfoot going into Saturday’s Pole Day qualifying session, should she be cleared.
With 41 cars trying for 33 spots on the grid, it is key for all to get as much track time as possible.
