Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has revealed that his son, David Schumacher, fractured his spine in the horrific fiery crash at the DTM season finale last weekend.
The season finale of the German series took place at one of the usual hosts of the German Grand Prix, Hockenheim.
The crash took place on the seventh lap at Turn Eight, whilst the cousin of Haas driver Mick Schumacher was battling in the points places, despite having not scored a single one in the entire campaign.
Schumacher was fighting with championship contender Thomas Preining, before both drivers crashed heavily into the wall as they entered the corner.
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The duo hit the wall on the outside of the circuit, where the heavy impact saw both cars bounce back onto the circuit, resulting in rapid reactions from Denis Olsen.
Olsen did brilliantly to avoid piling straight into the two stricken drivers; however, he lost control of his Porsche and hit the barrier on the inside of the corner so hard that the engine in his car flew out and landed on the circuit.
Olsen’s car became a fireball; however, the Norwegian was unharmed in the horrifying accident.
The race was red-flagged as a result, unsurprisingly, as the marshals had an extensive clean-up job to complete.
Schumacher was taken to hospital following the crash; however, he was initially diagnosed with a bruised back.
His injuries have since escalated dramatically, as his father revealed that the 20-year-old “complained of back pain” when he made his way back home.
As a result, David was taken back to hospital for an MRI, where it was discovered the young German had a broken lumbar vertebra.
The painful break heals in “six weeks” according to the driver’s doctor, but thankfully the DTM season is now complete.
“When David came home, he still complained of back pain,” said Ralf to Motorsport Magazine.
“We then decided to visit a hospital in Salzburg to have an MRI. It turned out that a lumbar vertebra is broken.
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“According to the attending physicians, this means a break of about six weeks for David.”
Schumacher’s season in DTM ended up with the German finishing 28th in the Drivers’ Championship after failing to score a point, but it was an excellent experience for the driver.
German newspaper Bild has reported that the nephew of Michael Schumacher won’t need surgery on his back, with rest being the best method of treatment.