Former F1 driver Mika Salo attacked and left bleeding from a leg injury

According to Finnish outlet 1st, the incident took place on May 19. Speaking to the publication, Salo said he initially felt something strike him but did not realise what had happened. It was only when a passer-by pointed out that blood was pouring from his leg that he became aware of the injury: “At that moment, I felt something hit me, but I didn’t realise what had happened. Then a passer-by told me there was blood pouring from my leg.”

Once it became clear that the injury was more severe than first believed, a taxi driver came to Salo’s aid and rushed him to hospital. Doctors later informed the former F1 driver that they had dealt with similar incidents that evening and determined that the wound had likely been caused by a sharp-edged weapon, possibly a knife.

Salo also pointed out that he had been fortunate to escape with an injury to his leg, suggesting the consequences could have been far more serious had the attacker intended to inflict greater harm and targeted a more vulnerable area of his body.

The former F1 driver, who was in Thailand on vacation, admitted the injury had put a major damper on his trip. Salo revealed he had been spending most of his time indoors to aid the healing process, with doctors recommending that he avoid lengthy walks. While his mobility remains limited, he said he can still manage short distances without any issues. He also stressed that he is not experiencing any pain and is only taking a course of antibiotics as part of his recovery.

Writing about the incident on social media, Salo thanked the nurses and doctors who treated him in Thailand, as well as the Thailand Police and Thailand Tourist Police for their swift response. Despite the attack, he described Thailand as one of the safest places in the world and said he looks forward to returning soon.

Salo raced in Formula 1 between 1994 and 2002, making his debut with Lotus and ending his career with Toyota. Although he never claimed a race win or stood on the podium, the defining moment of his F1 career came in 1999 when Ferrari called him up to replace the injured Michael Schumacher for six Grands Prix.