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FIA doctor on the crash: First thought Verstappen's crash 'was a roll over'

FIA doctor on the crash: First thought Verstappen's crash 'was a roll over'

19-07-2021 07:32 Last update: 07:36

GPblog.com

In Bahrain last year he played a heroic role in Romain Grosjean's huge crash and in Silverstone he played another important role. Doctor Ian Roberts, the FIA doctor in the medical car, was one of the first to arrive at the crash of Max Verstappen and was soon next to the Dutchman's car.

Speaking to Sky Sports Roberts explains what he found at Copse. "He was a little bit winded. He got out with a little bit of help and off to the hospital for a routine check-up. As we came around the corner, it looked as if we were looking at a roll," Roberts said.

Concussion to be taken into account

In the end that turned out not to be the case, but the crash did shock the FIA doctor. "Fortunately not, but it was still an impressive impact into the tyres. We assessed him as quickly as possible whilst he is still in but obviously, he wants to be getting out."

The 51G impact on the Dutchman is huge, so Roberts explains that with forces like these they always take into account a number of scenarios. "All we can tell from the current set-up is the impact severity to the car and from that, we work out what the driver is going to be experiencing. There's always a possibility of concussion, we always think about it, we like to exclude that but it's the first thing. Even if it's looking as though it isn't, we keep it in mind," Roberts concluded.