Ed Jones is to sit out the next three rounds of the FIA European Formula 3 championship after an injury was belatedly discovered after the Pau event.
Jones was involved in a sizeable crash during the first qualifying session on the French streets; however the 19-year-old was found to have suffered a fractured vertebra only after he returned to Dubai.
As a result, the Carlin racer has been advised by doctors to miss the next three rounds at the Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps and Norisring, but is expected return for the championship’s first visit to Moscow in mid-July.
The injury would go some way to explaining Jones’ drop off in performance at Pau, following what were two unexpectedly positive opening rounds at Silverstone and the Hockenheimring.
After nine of thirty-three races, the teenager currently sits on the edge of the top ten in the standings, having collected 47 points and two podiums.
Naturally, Jones was dissatisfied with outcome, but also understanding of his predicament. He said, “I’m very disappointed to be missing the upcoming rounds however obviously it is for the best that I look after myself after such a heavy crash.”
Despite this set back, the Carlin man still feels positive about the future and his efforts thus far. “I am however feeling confident about the future and while it’s a shame to miss these three rounds I’m very much looking forward to replicating our early season results when I can resume the championship in Moscow.”
It is believed that Carlin will run five cars at this weekend’s fourth round at the Hungaroring, but it is unclear whether a replacement will be parachuted in for Spa-Francorchamps or Norisring.
