Ralf's Broken Bones

[MADDOG-99 0]

Ralf has broken bones in his back according to a german article, and will be off for 8 to 12 weeks. Sorry about the ropey translation...

http://www.spiegel.de/sport/formel1/0,1518...,306456,00.html

Translation below,

"Season for Ralf Schumacher terminates After his accident two weeks ago ago it had been still speculated whether Ralf Schumacher would perhaps already sit on Sunday again in the BMW Williams. To an investigation in a special hospital however the shock came: Schumacher is assumed many more heavily hurt than original. DPA Ralf Schumacher in Indianapolis, rescue forces: Two german types of the spinal column Hamburg - during the investigation on Monday evening in bath Nauheim were determined with the BMW Williams pilot two german types of the spinal column as consequence of its accident with the US Grand Prix. According to information of the physicians the healing process eight to twelve weeks will last. For Ralf Schumacher is most likely terminated the season thereby. Directly after running on 20 June with Schumacher bruises had been only diagnosed. more "Er head injuries, no breaks and no internal Verletzungen" does not have;, a BMW speaker had communicated after a first comprehensive investigation. Criticism gave it at the medical supply of the pilot on the distance in Indianapolis. Only three minutes, after the BMW Williams pilot had hit against a wall, had reached the first rescue forces the accident scene. David Coulthard demanded already an investigation of the circumstances. When Ralf Schumacher will rise again in the running car, is at present still unclear. "Es would be worse now nothing, than returning ueberhastet to the car. Ralf erholen" all time of the world, around itself 100 percent too;, its manager said Willi weber of the "Bild" newspaper. DPA Criticism at the medical supply: Schumachers BMW Williams after the impact it got data, which would occupy, how violently the impact had been real in the accident in the past days, so webers: "Ein miracles that Ralf does not ist." any longer happened; The analysis on accidents resulted in: When Ralf Schumacher cracked into the wall, the 7,7-fache of the own weight affected the body of the pilot. With the large price of France on Sunday in Magny Cours Schumacher, which became 29 years old on Wednesday, is replaced presumably by BMW Williams Testfahrer Marc of genes from Spain."

[Senna 0]

From ITV-F1.com

BACK INJURY ENDS RALF'S SEASON

Last Updated: Wednesday, 30, June, 2004, 11:05

Ralf Schumacher looks to be out for the rest of the 2004 World Championship after tests in Germany revealed the Williams driver had suffered two broken vertebra in his Indy crash.

"The diagnosis is a hammer blow," Schumacher admitted to German newspaper Die Bild. "The injury is worse than we originally feared, but there is nothing I can do now but try to get through it. I am already looking forward to the moment where I can sit in the car again.

[rodders47 2]

well I gotta say with an impact registered at 78 G I feel he is lucky to have only this amount of damage ! that is one hell of a smash and it is reported that Massa had an impact of 113 G !!! has got me beat how any human body can stand that and LIVE ??

[webber 0]

did not Massa roll the car in per seasion testing. well atleast we get 12 weeks with out R$ be good to see a diffewrent driver in at Williams.

[Senna 0]

True but there is no point racing Gene the whole time Ralf is absent. I

[nichosnz 0]

This may possibly be the end of Ralf's F1 career.

If no-one has him signed for next year yet. Who whould take the chance if he doesn't make it back to the car this season, or even if he does but does not perform more consistantly well then he ever has in his career.

[webber 0]

This may possibly be the end of Ralf's F1 career.

If no-one has him signed for next year yet.  Who whould take the chance if he doesn't make it back to the car this season, or even if he does but does not perform more consistantly well then he ever has in his career.

oooohhhhh well i wont miss him

[hollywood2003 0]

I think Ralfie has signed a contract with Toyota, it will be interesting if they do in fact announce his signing at the Bristish GP and they were reported to be doing... interesting times at both Williams and Toyota to see what is reprted in the coming weeks...

[nojvnof1 0]

Firstly, heres to a speedy - pardon the pun - recover for Ralf, yes he may not be the best driver, but I don't think any F1 fan likes seeing what happened to Ralf happen in motorsport, so best wishes for Ralf.

Now I know this is a big if, but if Toyota do decide to pull the pin on Ralf and not go with him, it opens up one big spot at Toyota, and there could be a few candidates for that drive. DC/Fisi/JV/Briscoe/Montagny could all be in the running if Ralf is not signed. However, I think with the rest of the year off, Toyota will keep him on but as for the announcement, it may be delayed, but I hope its not as usually when one announcement is made, it starts a chain reaction of announcements, and I for one, am really getting sick of this very very silly season

[Senna 0]

Yes, it will be interesting to see if Toyota announces Ralf as one of their drivers for 2005 with him currently being injured. Somehow I don

[AutoRacer5 0]

well I gotta say with an impact registered at 78 G I feel he is lucky to have only this amount of damage !  that is one hell of a smash and it is reported that Massa had an impact of 113 G !!!  has got me beat how any human body can stand that and LIVE ??

Kenny Brack went through 238 Gs or something like that back at Texas last year in the indycar, the video is on ukf1.net

[Senna 0]

But F1 cars aren

[AutoRacer5 0]

F1 cars should be then, and watch the video...

[hollywood2003 0]

autoracer, of course Kenny did the biggest G's of all time, its america and they always have to be the biggest and the best!!!! he he

238G's would make a 75kg racer weight =17,850kgs!!! yeah right!!!!

that weight would make his heart burst straight from his chest and keep going

[rodders47 2]

I remember when I was working for a company making cars for INDY, back in the late 80's, That the LOWER half of the car had to be of Alloy Honecomb combined with Carbon Firbe.

The reason for this was that Carbon fibre will only SURVIVE ONE large impact with a wall, desinigrating after that impact into shards of broken fibres, whereas the alloy honeycomb would retain the shape and protection for a possible another hit with a wall !!

Not sure if this is what is being used these days !

[webber 0]

F1 cars are a lot stronger than INDY car. in know that the car whould be abole to withstand a 238 G crash but i dont think that a driver whould unless the goes in on an small angle. or if the car goes stright in.

[Senna 0]

Ralf