Tasmanian teenager Peroni faces surgery test after Formula 3 crash

Hobart driver Alex Peroni will have tests to determine whether he needs surgery on broken vertabrae in his back after horror crash at Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

LUCKY: Formula Three driver Alex Peroni survived this spectacular crash at Monza on Saturday, September 7. Picture: Video footage

HOBART teenager Alex Peroni is resting in a Monza hospital with multiple breaks to a vertebrae in his back and concussion after his frightening airborne crash in a Formula 3 race at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The 19-year-old motor racer is stable and recovering well, said his manager David Quinn, who said Peroni was lying flat on bed that looked like “a kitchen table” and being fed by his aunty.

Alex’s father, Piero, was at Monza to watch his son race for Spanish-based Team Campos in the European Formula 3 championship.

After making his way through the field from 13th to sixth, Alex’s car became horribly airborne after hitting a “sausage” curb at the famous Parabolica corner.

His open-wheeler car was flung high into the air before flipping and landing upside down on a safety wall.

AIRBORNE: Tasmanian Formula Three driver Alex Peroni’s car launches upwards after hitting a sausage kerb at Monza on Saturday, September 7. Pictures: Video footage

HORROR: Peroni hurtles through the air for several metres.

SCARY: The car flips mid-air above the track.

DOWNWARD SPIRAL: Peroni heads for a ground slam.

WHAM!: The teenager is lucky to be alive, saved only by his helmet and the “robust survival cell” of his car.

It took some time to extract Alex from the car and before he was taken to the trackside medical unit.

“That was a big one. Currently recovering in hospital with a broken vertebra,” Peroni said on Instagram.

“Not sure the recovery time but hope to be back in the car as soon as possible. Thanks everyone for the messages and support I really appreciate it.”

Piero went with Alex to the Ospedale San Gerardo of Monza.

“Alex has been immobilised until further scans are performed on his back,” Piero said on Alex’s Facebook page.

“His D6 vertebra has multiple fractures and the medical staff will decide tomorrow if it’s necessary to operate.

“Alex is also recovering from concussion, with his helmet extensively damaged.

“Alex’s life was saved by the [car’s] halo, his helmet and the robust modern survival cell.

“Team Peroni wish to pay tribute to all of those people that have lobbied for constant progress in relation to safety.

“As soon as possible Alex will return to Tasmania to recover.”

Motorsport’s world governing body, the FIA, will investigate the incident.