Allan McNish admits his shocking Le Mans crash would have been much more serious had it happened near the start of his career.
Scot lucky to walk away from horror smash
Allan McNish admits that his shocking Le Mans crash on Saturday would have been much more serious had it happened near the start of his career.
The two-time Le Mans winner clipped a backmarker just moments after taking the lead and careered into the barriers at 120mph.
The 41-year-old Scot escaped with mainly superficial injuries, although he was badly shaken by the impact and taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
He said: "I've been banged around a little bit but the biggest thing is a little bit of pain in the bottom of my back and a big graze around my shin. Considering the impact, the speed and everything else, I think we all got away quite fortunate."
McNish is only too aware that improvements in safety during his long career helped save him from a far worse fate, and was left to count his blessings as he reflected on the crash.
Ferocity
"When I saw the ferocity of the accident, that made me very thankful, first of all, that I was in an Audi and it was very strong. The guys who designed it did a bloody good job.
"In 30 years of motor sport I have seen quite a lot of things - the good, the bad and the ugly.
"[Had the accident happened] when I started in motor sport, I have to say probably wouldn't have been able to talk to you right now and that is one of the developments that motor sport has given.
"We now have significantly better and stronger cars. I know the process that Audi goes to beyond what the regulations state and how important it is for them as a company that the cars are absolutely as strong as possible so."
There was relief too that no onlookers were injured in the chaos of McNish's crash, with trackside photographers and marshals in the firing line.
"I was very, very relieved that there were no other injuries. Because I saw the people at the side of the track - and there was a lot of luck involved, I have to say. It made my heart stop when I saw that."
