Perth teenager Chloe Grant cannot wait to compete in the final F1 Academy races to be staged in Europe later this month (29-30 July) – despite her being battered and bruised following a spectacular accident at the last event.
Grant was extremely fortunate to walk away from a massive shunt that occurred seconds after the start of a race at Monza. Heading into the first series of corners at the Italian venue last Saturday (8 July), the 15-car field bunched together with Chloe’s ART Grand Prix entered car being launched into the air in the mayhem.
Her 150mph single-seater ultimately landed upside down, briefly catching fire, but thankfully Grant was quickly and carefully extracted from the wreckage – her car’s “halo” likely saving the teen’s life – and taken to the circuit’s medical centre for a thorough examination.
But undeterred and even more determined to succeed in her maiden F1 Academy season, Grant will spend the forthcoming days preparing on the simulator for three races at Paul Ricard in Southern France prior to the season ending finale at Austin in Texas which supports the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Laser Tools, Specsavers, John Clark Motor Group, Kevin Cuthbert PT and Fierce Racing are supporting Grant this season.
Chloe says, “I remember it being really tight at the start with all the drivers jostling for position. I didn’t manage to slow down quickly enough with so many cars going into the first turn and clipped one in front. The next thing I’m airborne and upside down in the car. It all went by in a blur.
“I was upside down and I could see flames inside the car right next to my arm. It was great that the track marshals responded so rapidly with fire extinguishers and managed to pull me out of danger. I’m very grateful to the medical team. People have been very supportive and I’d like to thank everyone for their kind wishes.
“I got back home this evening [Monday] and am currently nursing a few bumps and bruises but on the flight home from Milan, I was already thinking ahead to the next races at Paul Ricard. I’ll be working hard before heading to France where I want to end the European leg on a high.”
