Blundell to miss IndyCar race

Motor racing

Mark Blundell is out of the Australian IndyCar Grand Prix at the end of the month following his spectacular crash in last weekend's Hollywood Rio 400 Grand Prix.

The British former Formula One driver sustained multiple fractures to his right foot when brake failure sent his PacWest Reynard into the wall on the 10th lap.

Bruce McCaw, the PacWest chief executive, said: "We're thankful that Mark was not more seriously injured in what was a terrible crash. However, after he had a chance to get home and undergo a complete examination with his doctors, a decision was made - upon medical recommendation - that he should not race in Australia.

"Mark is going to need a little more time to heal. If anything happened in Australia, the risk of permanent damage would be unacceptably high. We're not willing to take any chances."

McCaw absolved Blundell of any blame for the crash in last Sunday's race in the United States. "We have reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident and have concluded that the cause of the accident was a mechanical failure, in which we assume full responsibility. There was no driver error involved," he said.

Although Blundell will not compete in Surfers' Paradise on 31 March, he will still travel with the team to Australia. "Mark is totally committed to the team and is disappointed that he will miss the series' first street race of the season," McCaw said.