Honda Yuasa Raing’s Matt Neal has been airlifted to hospital after he was involved in the multi-car incident at the start of today’s first British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch.
Neal, 47, was an innocent party in a crash at the start of round 28, which was triggered when his teammate Gordon Shedden made contact with Fabrizio Giovanardi as the cars approached Paddock Hill bend for the first time.
The three-time champion was already nursing an injury, having sustained rib injuries in a karting accident last week, and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
Honda have confirmed that Neal is okay, but he will not take part in either of the day’s remaining two races.
It means that Neal can finish no higher than eighth in the championship – his worst classification for more than ten years – and is under threat from Árón Smith who is currently ninth in the standings.