The Fuji GT 300km at Fuji Speedway was thrown into chaos on its fifth lap when Nakajima Racing driver Igor Fraga went airborne on the straight, clattering back down onto the track.
Drivers were already circulating under safety car conditions because of water on the circuit after pre-race rain in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture. As racing resumed, Akimasa Takaboshi touched Fraga's No.64 Modulo Honda Prelude while attempting an overtake, sending the car into the sky.
Red flag immediately shown
Remarkably, Fraga's car landed without making contact with any of the other competitors, who were able to pass beside him unharmed. The race was immediately stopped and red flag conditions were enforced.
Emergency services attended Fraga quickly, and despite a visit to hospital, he escaped the terrifying incident without serious injuries. With the race halted, Takaboshi and Bertrand Baguette, who was also in close quarters, were seen sharing their thoughts on what had happened.
A circuit with Formula One history
Fuji Speedway sits in the foothills of Mount Fuji and is one of Japan's most famous tracks, although it still lives in the shadow of the more illustrious Suzuka. It has hosted four Formula One races.
The first came in 1976, when James Hunt clinched the world championship from Niki Lauda in a race marred by heavy downpour. Mario Andretti won that race, while Hunt finished on the top spot of the podium the following year.
Fuji returned to the F1 calendar in 2007 after a 30-year absence, with Lewis Hamilton taking victory in another rain-impacted race. Fernando Alonso won the following season. A plan to alternate the Japanese Grand Prix between Fuji and Suzuka was not ratified, and the circuit has not hosted Formula One since.
