Firman out of race after high-speed crash

Ralph Firman is out of tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix after suffering concussion and a fractured heel during a horrifying 150mph…

Ralph Firman is out of tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix after suffering concussion and a fractured heel during a horrifying 150mph smash in the first of today's free practice sessions.

Jordan test driver Zsolt Baumgartner will now race after the Permanent Bureau of the Formula One Commission, which includes president Max Mosley and supremo Bernie Eclestone, rushed through the team's application for a necessary superlicence.

Hungarian Baumgartner, currently competing in F3000, was deemed to have completed more than the 300 kilometres in testing required to be granted the superlicence.

It means he will compete alongside the sport's best in front of his home crowd, starting with this afternoon's all-important second qualifying run.

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Jordan said: "Ralph is going to stay in hospital for 24 hours for observation which is perfectly routine.

"Professor (Sid) Watkins, the FIA Medical Delegate, reported Ralph made a quick recovery and recognised the Prof at the scene of the accident. The head rest did a superb job.

"We are now delighted to confirm Zsolt as a replacement."

On one of the fastest parts of the Hungaroring circuit, the rear wing of Firman's Jordan alarmingly became detached and flew into the air, leaving it with no downforce which is vital to keeping the car on the track.

Out of control, the Jordan initially pirouetted through 360 degrees and started to career backwards before eventually slamming sideways into a tyre wall with incredible force.

Technical director Gary Anderson confirmed that following an immediate investigation it was revealed the accident "was caused by a failure of the wing fixing".

Firman briefly sat motionless for a few heart-stopping moments before quickly being attended to by trackside marshals, with the 45 minute session swiftly brought to a halt.

The shunt was easily worse than that for Jenson Button during Saturday's second practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season, an accident which resulted in the 23-year-old missing that race.

In the following few minutes it became apparent Firman had escaped serious injury as he initially clambered from the battered Jordan unaided, although he was obviously very shaken.