Photo: Eurosport

Video of the Engstler – Safety Car crash

The FIA World Touring Car Championship weekend at Pau in France has been extremely eventful. It started with a political war between FIA, SEAT, BMW and Chevrolet and it ended with Franz Engstler crashing in to the safety car.
“I saw the safety car coming out from the right and realized that I had no chance to brake,” said Engstler to Eurosport.

“I really do not understand why he was going out of the pits. I really do not understand,” said a very disappointed Engstler.

Engstler had to retire on the spot as his car sustained heavy damage. Alain Menu was right behind him but was fortunate enough to be able to stop.

The safety car was brought out to clear cars from the first lap commotion. Engstler raced down the start finish straight with Menu right behind.

The safety car pulled out from the pits at a very slow speed in the blind fast right hander, straight in to the racing line, leaving Engstler no room but to crash in to the back of the safety car.

The race was red flagged due to this and later restarted.

Here is a video showing the incident.

And a second one, showing more of the aftermath: