In advance of Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon’s daring effort to set a new record at the Nurburgring in a brand-new Alpine sports car, two men lost their lives in a crash on Wednesday.
Two Goodyear personnel from Luxembourg were the casualties of the horrific Nurburgring crash as they performed a tyre test. The crash happened in the hectic Tiergarten sector and tragically, the two people inside the Porsche that was involved in the incident died.
A statement from the Nurburgring circuit following the tragedy read: “In the course of commercial tests at the Nurburgring, the so-called industrial pool, a serious accident occurred on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, in which two people lost their lives.
“A vehicle taking part in the tests had a single-car accident in the Tiergarten section of the track. Although rescue measures were initiated immediately, both occupants died.
“As part of the so-called industry pool, companies and manufacturers from the automotive and supplier industry test their vehicles and products at the Nurburgring.
“During the test drives at the Nurburgring, the participating companies only have experienced, professional test drivers who have exceptional vehicle control right up to the limits and very good track knowledge of the Nurburgring Nordschleife.”
Christan Franck, a 39-year-old test driver and racer, has been named as one of the victims as the second person’s identity has not been made public.
Following the incident, the German circuit canceled every visiting driver for Wednesday.
As Esteban Ocon prepares to run on the legendary Nordschleife at the Nurburgring during the F1 break in October, he will be hoping to break the lap record driving an Alpine car.
L’Equipe reports that multiple witnesses have lately seen the “mystery” Alpine A110 that Ocon is set to drive.
After the Qatar Grand Prix round, the Frenchman is ready to take advantage of the chance and attempt to break the time record of 7’09’300 set by Jorg Bergmeister’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
