Saelens crash

Speedworx · 14 Jul 2001, 08:51 (Ref:116896)

Poor guy!

Is there anywhere to view the crash?

If not I'll wait until the F3k coverage this evening on Eurosport.

**gomick** · 14 Jul 2001, 10:38 (Ref:116929)

was it a spectacular crash or something.....

Rempie · 14 Jul 2001, 11:12 (Ref:116950)

Why would you want to see it?

I'm glad Eurosport didn't broadcast it live because it took 25mins to get him out of the car. It's awful to see that happen to your fav driver without having any info about his condition.

A minardi team official said yesterday there were no life-threatening injuries, but David is unlikely to race. Saelens has had problems with his back/shoulder in the past, but it was finally solved this year. This new injury seriously worries me, his season and career may be over..

I have no word on whether he has left the hospital.

Rempie · 14 Jul 2001, 11:13 (Ref:116951)

About the crash: he ran wide at becketts, went on the grass and got thrown in the air because of the gravel (I guess you could compare this with Schumacher's crash in Melbourne).

Saelens however, landed on his 4 wheels. The impact was heavy though.

Rempie · 14 Jul 2001, 13:49 (Ref:117013)

Little update about Saelens's condition:

David has a bruised 9th vertebra and a more serious injury on the ligaments of his left hand wich will require surgery. He will be transported to a belgian university hospital in Ghent on monday-evening for further tests and the possible surgery. It is yet unsure however when the surgery will be done as David wants to get back in his cockpit as soon as possible, it may be postponed until after the season.

The injuries are only temporary, but he will be out for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

Let's hope the best for David.

Source on this update is Frank Saelens (=David's father).

R · 14 Jul 2001, 18:57 (Ref:117096)

Quote:

Originally posted by Rempie
The injuries are only temporary, but he will be out for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

Thank God! According to the Swedish Eurosport commentator, his injuries were serious but not life threatening, though it was uncertain if he'd ever be fit to race again. With that info in the back of my mind, it was a big relief for me to read your post, Rempie. It is also much easier for him to deal with the situation mentally when he knows it's a temporary state. This news has made me very happy.

I wish him a speedy recovery, and hope to see him back in the car before the end of the season.

pink69 · 15 Jul 2001, 00:29 (Ref:117192)

He will be out for 4 - 6 weeks apparantly. Bad luck to him as he has the potential to be up the top with the other guys like Wilson ,Webber and Enge. Mercedes will also be cursing their luck as they have lost another driver. looks like Tieman will be needed for a little longer as Saelens replacement now , he is currently replacing the injured maylander who fell over a wall. And having lost Lamy earlier this year they look unorganised. Bad for team morale with so many drivers coming and going.

Mekola · 15 Jul 2001, 16:47 (Ref:117359)

Marcel Tiemann as Saelens replacement? I thought because he was Belgian and got also Belgian sponsors (Invesco) the team can prefer a Belgian driver, like Jeffrey van Hooydonk who don't have a drive.

formula-3000net · 15 Jul 2001, 19:29 (Ref:117395)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mekola
Marcel Tiemann as Saelens replacement? I thought because he was Belgian and got also Belgian sponsors (Invesco) the team can prefer a Belgian driver, like Jeffrey van Hooydonk who don't have a drive.

Yes, Tiemann is almost certain to replace Saelens in the DTM.
I don't think Van Hooydonk will replace him in F3000 though - Christijan Albers is much more likely.

Daisy · 15 Jul 2001, 20:22 (Ref:117414)

I think Christijan has a good chanche. Would be good for me, I like Christijan and I'm going to the Hockenheim GP in two weeks, so it would be good to see Christijan. But it would be better to see Saelens.

Speedworx · 16 Jul 2001, 17:58 (Ref:117847)

I can't see Persson giving Albers up, for him to move over to Rosberg. Marcel Tiemann is most likely replacement.

formula-3000net · 16 Jul 2001, 21:27 (Ref:117955)

Quote:

Originally posted by hakkiman
I can't see Persson giving Albers up, for him to move over to Rosberg. Marcel Tiemann is most likely replacement.

That's not what I meant.
Tiemann will race i DTM...Albers could replace Saelens in F3000.

Minardi fan · 16 Jul 2001, 22:35 (Ref:117988)

Albers would be highly likely to race instead of Saelens because Albers is already contracted to Minardi.

badoer fan · 17 Jul 2001, 07:27 (Ref:118156)

Why not give Yoong a go? Get some of his money and test him out before letting him loose in an F1 car.

formula-3000net · 17 Jul 2001, 21:12 (Ref:118534)

Quote:

Originally posted by badoer fan
Why not give Yoong a go? Get some of his money and test him out before letting him loose in an F1 car.

...well I could give several reasons, but haven't the time.
You could also say put Yoong in the F1 car and Marques in the F3000 car...but my money's still on Albers.

DanFlag · 27 Jul 2001, 11:13 (Ref:122537)

Looks like 2 weeks ago, none of us would have seen Schecter back in F3000 again!

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