A major crash brought Sunday’s GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup race at Monza to an abrupt halt, with eight cars immediately forced into retirement and a dozen involved altogether. The incident at the track in Italy was so serious that around three-quarters of the field had to swerve into the run-off area.
It occurred as the field was getting ready to go around a right-hand bend, with two cars in the middle of the pack making contact. As the cars began veering around the corner, vehicles began skidding in all manner of directions, with the commentator describing it as “absolute mayhem”.
Maxime Martin in the #17 GetSpeed Mercedes had been singled out as the culprit. Having made a strong start, Martin’s road ahead was blocked off and when he’d run out of room, was forced to cut back into the field.
Martin has refused to accept the blame, stating: “I don’t know what they’re complaining about. I didn’t touch anyone. I don’t have a single scratch on the car, but they’re blaming me!
“Yes, I had to drive a little to the right off the track because I had nowhere else to go. But then I safely cut back into the field before the grass, without touching anyone. I’m sorry for everyone, but ultimately I can’t say anything about it.”
Replays suggest Martin is correct in that he didn’t touch anybody, but it’s argued his actions forced Alessio Rovera in the #51 Ferrari to swerve, with the #10 Boutsen-VDS Porsche going into the guardrail.
It was reported afterwards that all drivers involved were okay, and no serious injuries had been sustained. Unsurprisingly, it split opinion online, with fans reacting to the multiple-car pile-up.
@LGTS_F2004 wrote on X: “This isn’t an open lobby on ACC lads, I’d expect you to know you use brakes rather than other cars!”
@Fen_GrayZee wasn’t happy with the track layout: “Monza – most farcical 1st corner of any race circuit.”
@BobalooBlue added: “Like the old saying goes.. you can’t WIN the race at turn one – lap one but you can lose it.”
@all_being_ joked: “What in the 10yo playing iRacing ai lobby is going on here?”
Many cars withdrew because of damage caused either directly or indirectly by the incident. It’s unsure how much the damage will cost teams, but it’s estimated to amount to several millions of pounds.