F1 News: Major Crash During Iconic Le Mans Practice Raises Huge Safety Concerns

An unexpected crash involving two race cars during practice throws a wrench into preparations for the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Chaos broke out during practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 race. The teams and fans were taken aback when an intense crash occurred between American driver Steven Thomas and Englishman Casper Stevenson. The stationary vehicle of Stevenson, which had spun out and skidded off the tarmac just moments earlier, was hit full-force by Thomas, in a heart-stopping moment.

Despite the nearby waving of a yellow warning flag, Thomas ploughed into Stevenson's stationary car, causing shockwaves through the audience and reminding everyone just how unpredictable and risky motorsport can be.

🔴 Red flag: collision between @dstation_racing and @TOWERMTSPRTS8.
Everyone is ok ✅#LeMansCentenary #WEC pic.twitter.com/X8g2tkR4Bw

— 24 Hours of Le Mans (@24hoursoflemans) June 7, 2023

Thankfully, both drivers walked away relatively unscathed, yet the incident left an indelible mark on the practice day. Many fans were left with safety concerns, wondering how this could have been allowed to happen. 

A social media user reacted to the footage of the crash, tweeting, "Flippin heck, hope they're alright, that looked like a really nasty one." Another user questioned the communication, "Do they have a radio guy? Surely someone could've radioed the driver 'hey don't come flying into the yellow flagged corner on the outside'."

The calamity comes ahead of the iconic day-long endurance race set to begin at 3 pm on Saturday, a race held exactly a Century after the inaugural event in 1923. 

Following the crash, additional practice sessions are scheduled, and a Hyperpole event will determine the pole positions for each contestant. The 24 Hours of Le Mans race isn't about the fastest car, but rather the vehicle that can cover the greatest distance in 24 hours. Teams are organised in 'classes,' or cars of similar specifications, competing simultaneously for an overall placing amongst all classes.

This incident at Le Mans comes as the motorsport world is already on edge with concerns about the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled for 16-18 June. With its potential cancellation due to severe air quality issues, these events remind fans of the unpredictability and inherent risks of the sport.