There is “no fear of paralysis whatsoever” for Sophia Floersch after she underwent successful surgery following her horrific Formula 3 crash, the teen’s team principal said Monday.
Floersch, 17, suffered a fractured spine at the Macau Grand Prix after her airborne car flew backward over the edge of the circuit and through the catch fence into a structure close to where marshals and photographers were stationed.
Van Amersfoort Racing owner Frits van Amersfoort said Floersch had an “angel on her shoulder” after she somehow survived such a horrendous smash.
He later stated that the German is recovering well after bone from her hip was used to repair one of her vertebrae in an operation that took almost 10 hours.
“Everything is working and everything is in order,” Van Amersfoort told the BBC World Service.
“[Paralysis] was the main fear. That’s why the operation had to be done quite quickly because there was a danger it [Floersch’s spinal cord] could be damaged.
“We are extremely happy that she is now recovering and that everything went extremely well. There’s no fear of paralysis whatsoever.”
And Van Amersfoort is hopeful Floersch will be able to resume her racing career.
“I’m quite sure that Sophia will — after some time of course.” he added.
“Luckily enough winter is now beginning so she will have time to recover and I am quite sure that she will be back.
“That’s what the racing blood always does — coming back because this is the sport we all love.”
