Mitch Evans has recalled his role in Alex Lynn’s frightening airborne crash in this morning’s Formula E Diriyah E-Prix.
Evans was mired in the lower ends of the mid-pack all race after a qualifying mishap saw the Kiwi fail to set a lap time.
Battling with Lynn over 17th place in the final stages of the race, Lynn launched over the rear of Evans’ Jaguar. The out-of-control Mahindra then flipped onto the roll-hoop and skated down the circuit and into a barrier in the runoff area.
Lynn spent roughly 60 metres upside down, and hit the wall at significant speed.
The crash has been referred to by drivers as the largest crash the series had ever witnessed.
Medical crews cleared Evans after the accident and he briefly recounted how the crash occurred, suggesting it was a racing incident.
“Basically, I was defending hard from Alex into Turn 18,” Evans said.
“We were really close to the wall, and he didn’t really back out of it.
“Was there room? I’m not sure I need to see the replay. I hope there was, and I didn’t do anything out of order.
“He collected my rear wheel and had an aeroplane crash, which was pretty nasty.
“I spoke to him, he seems fine, but he’s gone as a precaution to make sure there’s nothing after the shock has worn off.
“It was not a nice moment. At one point I could see him above me. It was not nice. But the main thing is he’s all good.
“I saw him go into the wall and I jumped out to make sure he was OK. You never want to see that sort of stuff. He’s a friend as well. You don’t want to see people go through that.
“Hopefully there’s a replay out soon. But I think it’s a racing incident. We were racing hard for P-Nowhere.”
There was no television footage of the accident, with another crash between Maximilian Guenther and Tom Blomqvist happening at the same corner mere seconds beforehand taking the focus.
Lynn was reportedly conscious after the incident but unable to extract himself from his car, prompting the race director to red flag the race.
He remains at the Riyadh hospital, where he is undergoing further medical examinations.
The crash was the second large accident to occur over the day, with Edoardo Mortara ploughing into the wall at full speed during practice when his Venturi experienced a drivetrain failure.
