A YEAR ago German teenager Sophia Floersch suffered an horrific, 170mph crash during a Formula Three race in Macau.
She was forced to undergo an 11-HOUR operation to repair her fractured spine after flying through the air and smashing into the fencing.
Sophia Floersch crashed at 170mph in Macau just a year agoCredit: AP:Associated Press
Sophia Floersch underwent an 11-hour surgery to fix her spineCredit: Getty
Sophia Floersch is now back racing – and was even back in Macau this weekendCredit: AP:Associated Press
But Floersch, now 18 years old, has returned to the scene of the accident – and even raced around the track having cheated death just a year earlier.
After making an incredibly fast recovery, Floersch told German outlet Sport1 quitting was never an option.
She revealed: “[I feel] very good, if I’m honest. Yes, the accident was very bad, but I’m glad to be back.
“For me it was clear from the beginning that I want to go back to Macau.
“The race here is a highlight for every Formula Three driver. It’s part of the World Cup.
“For me, it was clear from the beginning that I wanted to go back.”
Over the weekend, Floersch completed eight laps – around 20 minutes on the track – of the F3 World Cup race, having qualified 23rd for the race.
She was forced to retire due to a technical problem with her car.
Sophia Floersch was sent flying into the stands a year ago in sickening scenes
The German, who underwent surgery last November,was always destined to make a rapid recovery.
Floersch flew home from Macau just a week after her painstakingly long surgery.
She was then named as a driver for Van Amersfoort Racing in the European F3 replacement series, Formula European Masters, a MONTH later.
Just weeks later, Floersch appeared in great spirits as she travelled to England for an interview on Good Morning Britain – in which she revealed her confidence was higher than ever.
And incredibly, two months after the interview, she was back racing – making her return to motorsport in March, at the race in Monza, Italy.
Floersch has since taken part in 24 races, picking up 149 points and finishing seventh.
The German then managed to break back into F3 for the weekend at Macau.
Sophia Floersch made her racing comeback as early as MarchCredit: Instagram
Floersch has talked all about her excitement to go back to Macau recentlyCredit: Instagram
In the build-up to the race, Floersch revealed all on her Instagram page – adding picture updates and even a behind-the-scenes video – showing no signs of fear at returning to Macau.
Quite the opposite in fact, as the brave racer shared her excitement to her 285,000 followers.
Ahead of the race, she wrote: “Arrived in MACAU!!! So happy to be back again and have the possibility to drive around the streets here.
“6.2 km of going up – down, left – right, quick – slow. A lot of stuff happening before I am jumping in the car for the first time on Thursday.”
After surviving a gruelling weekend on the track, Floersch then spoke of her joy simply to have been a part of it all.
On Instagram, she wrote: “Macau 2019… Everything was planned just three weeks before the Grand Prix.
“Everything was organised really shortly but with the help of my two main partners @mgm.mo and @ixo_models it was possible for me to go back to Macau this year.
Sophia Floersch was back behind the wheel on the Macau street circuitCredit: Getty
Sophia Floersch revealed she never once considered giving up racing
“I always said from the beginning onwards that my main goal is to enjoy it and prepare for next season as the @fiaf3 car was completely new to me.
“Apart from that I of course loved it to be driving through the streets of Macau again!
“Thanks to @hwaag_official for that great work during those days. Shame that we had a technical failure in the Grand Prix but that’s Motorsport.”
Sophia Floersch hopes for race return soon after 172 mph crash as she tells Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid ‘my confidence is higher than ever’
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
