GP2: Saturday race red flagged after high-speed crash at Blanchimont

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:13 p.m. ET

Samuel Reiman

Daniel de Jong was lucky to survive a head-on impact with the tire barrier in Blanchimont during Saturday’s GP2 race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium.

The crash took place after DAMS driver Pierre Gasly made contact with MP Motorsport’s Daniel de Jong.

The Safety Car was initially deployed but then the race was red flagged for barrier repair. Fortunately the GP2 Series confirmed on Twitter that de Jong was OK after the crash, although he was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

UPDATE: Daniel de Jong underwent surgery after suffering a fractured vertebrae in the crash. Gasly had an additional 10 seconds added to his race time as a post-race penalty for his role in the collision.

We are happy to confirm @Daniielde_Jong is fine and in a good mood #GP2
— GP2 Series Official (@GP2_Official) August 22, 2015

#GP2 #DeJong pic.twitter.com/D4reqhJVlY
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) August 22, 2015

De Jong crashed after tangling with Gasly. Race red-flagged. http://t.co/g8E1ExjVOG #GP2 pic.twitter.com/JaoHVfhHHm
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 22, 2015