‘Like a bowling ball' – Horrifying crash as Indy 500 driver ploughs into his pit crew and injures four team members

The Irish Sun

7 days ago

INDY 500 star Robert Shwartzman ploughed into his own pit crew 'like a bowling ball' before injuring four team members in a horrifying crash.
The shocking incident occurred in Sunday's Indy Car race on the 87th lap.
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Robert Shwartzman ploughed into his own team members at the Indy 500
Credit: Getty
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The horrifying crash occurred during the 87th lap
Credit: Getty
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Four members were hit, with one needing to be stretchered away
Credit: Reuters
Shwartzman came into pit for a tire change when disaster struck.
As the Israeli-Russian ace swerved inwards, he touched his brakes to slow down.
But his entire front end immediately locked up, sending his Prema Racing car sliding into crew members.
Four of the team were hit by the car, with one taken away on a stretcher after complaining of pain in his right foot.
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Witnessing the carnage, an American commentator declared Shwartzman had crashed into his teammates 'like a bowling ball.'
It saw the 25-year-old immediately bow out of the race, which was eventually won by Indy 500 standings leader Alex Palou.
Fans were quick to react online, with one saying: 'Ouch.'
Another declared: 'Such a rookie mistake.'
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One noted: 'People think Indy drivers are better than F1 drivers.'
Shwartzman had been enjoying a strong outing up to that point.
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Shwartzman was forced to pull out of the race after the crash
Credit: Reuters
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Just a week ago he became the first rookie since 1983 to take pole
Credit: Reuters
The youngster stunned regular stars to take pole last week — the first rookie to do so since 1983.
And Shwartzman currently sits 22nd in the rankings with an impressive 65 points.
But he was left to reflect on the disappointment of his latest outing.
Shwartzman said: 'I honestly felt really strange brakes when I was coming slow in pit lane. I locked up both front tires, which usually isn't the case.
"I wasn't sure if it was the brakes or because the tires were cold. I tried to be very slow. But as soon as I touched my brakes, my whole front was lost and I went right into the guys.
'It was really scary because at the moment I braked I was just a passenger.
'It's just really sad because we did such good work in qualifying. But it's the Indy 500. Anything can happen. A lot of strong drivers are out of the race or behind. This is the Indy 500. This happens.'