Months After Injury, Ferrari Mechanic Makes a Comeback

During the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, a frightening incident occurred in the Ferrari camp. pit crew member, Francesco Cigarini’s left leg buckled after being struck by the left wheel on Kimi Raikkonen’s car.

The sickening incident overshadowed the Bahrain Grand Prix and he was keen to thank well-wishers for their messages of support.

“Surgery OK,” Cigarini wrote on Instagram. “I have to thank all the people worried for me. Nothing else, just a big thanks. Hugs!”

Oddly enough, despite only three of his tyres being replaced, Raikkonen was given the green light to leave the pit box.

Cigarini – holding the replacement wheel – was in the line of fire as the Finn sped off.

Raikkonen was forced to come to a stop in the pit lane because cars are not allowed to the track with different compound tyres.

Ferrari were issued a €50,000 (£43,500) fine after race stewards reviewed footage of the incident.

Raikkonen blamed the lights for Cigarini’s injury.

“I don’t know what shape he is in. For sure, not great for him,” he said. “I go when the light is green, I didn’t see what happens behind and unfortunately he got hurt. My job is to go when the light is green.

“I don’t know more than that and hopefully he is OK.”

Raikkonen’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel stormed to victory to make it two wins from two races.

He said: “I’m a bit sad as I think in the pit-stop with Kimi one of our mechanics got injured, so send him my best regards.

“It’s a mixed day.”

Now, a few months after the incident, Cigarini seems to have recovered well. Recently, on his Instagram profile, he posted a picture of himself outside the Ferrari base. This seems to indicate that the Italian is ready to get back to work once again.