Magnussen taken to hospital after crash

Danish Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen lost control of his car during the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Danish Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen lost control of his car during the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Published Aug 28, 2016

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Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – Kevin Magnussen was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after suffering a cut to his left ankle in a high-speed crash at the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, his Renault team said.

The Dane lost control of his car as he crested the fast uphill sweep of the Eau Rouge corner and slammed violently into the barriers.

Magnussen, who had started 12th, got out of the car on his own but was limping slightly. He underwent checks at the medical centre before being taken to hospital.

"He is fully conscious and responsive," Renault said in a statement.

"He has a small cut to the left ankle and has been escorted to a nearby hospital for further routine checks."

Magnussen’s crash prompted a temporary halt to the race as marshals worked to repair tyre barriers damaged in the impact.

Mercedes pole-sitter Nico Rosberg was leading when the race was halted with nine of the 44 laps completed.

Daniel Ricciardo was second in the Red Bull after a chaotic start in which Max Verstappen, second on the grid, and the Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel collided at the first corner.

Lewis Hamilton, who started on the back row after a 55-place engine-related grid penalty, was in fifth.

Hamilton leads team mate Rosberg by 19 points in the overall standings, having won six of the last seven races. He is gunning to become only the third driver to score 50 career wins.

– Reuters

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