The #98 Aston Martin Vantage has become the first car to retire from the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours after a heavy crash at Indianapolis. Marcos Gomes was behind the wheel of the car and was running second in GTE Am at the time of the crash. Gomes got out of the car and stood up briefly before being helped to the ground by the medical team.
The incident is being reviewed by race control though it appeared that Gomes put his left tyres on the astro turf at turn in, sending him careening through the gravel and into the tyre barrier nose-first. There was an LMP car near the #98 Aston Martin as Gomes turned into the right-hander. Ultimately, the #98 Aston caught too much of the astroturf on the left hand side of the entrance to the corner, which forced them to spin out of control.
A safety car was immediately called by race control, it was the first safety car of the race. Barrier repairs were also underway as the car was craned out of the tyres.
Nicki Thiim started the car and completed three stints before handing the reins to Gomes. Paul Dalla Lana, meanwhile, will not get the chance to drive in this year’s race – yet another chapter in the Canadian’s unfortunate streak of luck at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
