Kimi Raikkonen HITS mechanic during botched pit stop – Watch SHOCKING video
THIS is the shocking moment a Ferrari mechanic suffered a broken leg during Kimi Raikkonen's botched pit stop at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
With Sebastian Vettel leading ahead Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari took the opportunity to bring driver Raikkonen into the pits.
However, Ferrari appeared to release the Finn too early with shocking consequences.
Raikkonen’s left rear tyre did not appear to be on properly yet he was given the green light to exit the pit.
And one of the Ferrari mechanics was hit by Raikkonen as he drove off.
AFP
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The mechanic was quickly attended to and a shocked Raikkonen stopped half-way down the pit lane.
He quickly jumped out of his car and ran over to the pit box to see the injured mechanic.
Ferrari have confirmed the mechanic has been taken to hospital.
AFP
“No, no, no! What happened there!?,” former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer said on BBC 5Live.
“Raikkonen is distraught, he just chucked the steering wheel back into the cockpit.
“We still have to think about the mechanic who is down on the ground. A nasty incident.”
AFP
Ferrari were investigated and later fined €50,000 by race officials for an unsafe release.
Vettel went on to win the race ahead of Bottas and Hamilton who finished second and third respectively.
"I'm a bit sad as I think in the pitstop with Kimi one of our mechanics got injured, so send him my best regards," the German said after the race.
Raikkonen later claims the light was green during the botched stop.
“I go when the light is green. I don't see what happens behind,” he said.
“Unfortunately he got hurt, but my job is to go when the light changes.”
Ferrari later tweeted: “Apparently a shinbone and fibula fracture, our thoughts are with Francesco, stay strong.”