Doctors rule Pascal Wehrlein out of Race of Champions after crash
German in "mild discomfort" and expects to be fit for F1 testing
Monday 23 January 2017 09:01, UK
Pascal Wehrlein was ruled out of the Race of Champions Nations Cup by doctors following his crash at the event on Saturday.
The German crashed into Felipe Massa after the finish line during their heat in Miami and rolled his Polaris Slingshot SLR through two sets of barriers, before coming to a rest against a concrete wall.
Both Wehrlein and his passenger walked away from the incident, but doctors prevented the new Sauber driver from competing on the second day of competition.
"I'm very sorry to withdraw from today's ROC Nations Cup," said Wehrlein.
"I'd really like to race again and I feel fine, but the doctors have advised me to rest so of course I will take their advice. It's no more than mild discomfort but my real priority for the coming year is my Formula 1 season.
Live Race of Champions
"So while I'm sad to be missing out on all the action, I send my best wishes to my team-mate Sebastian Vettel and the rest of the competitors here in Miami and I wish them another exciting day's racing."
Wehrlein now has just over a month to recover before pre-season testing begins in Barcelona on February 27.
