Former Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez escaped without injury after crashing his £300,000 Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo into a barrier during a motor circuit event at Germany’s Nürburgring.
The 28-year-old Spaniard reportedly lost control of the high-performance car while negotiating the Caracciola-Karussell corner, striking the barrier at an estimated speed of 70mph.
The incident happened at about 2.30pm on Monday, leaving the front of the Ferrari severely damaged and debris scattered across the track.
Photographs from the scene showed the wrecked vehicle being removed by a recovery truck, while other images captured damaged parts of its bonnet in plastic bags.
Witness describes moment of impact
As reported by SunSport, a British holidaymaker who was driving behind Sanchez in an Audi TT said the goalkeeper appeared to be travelling too fast as he approached the banked corner.
“He was going way too fast on the turn travelling up to 70mph,” the witness told the British media.
“He slammed into the corner and the track immediately got red flagged.”
The witness added that Sanchez emerged from the vehicle immediately after the crash and appeared unharmed.
“Sanchez escaped unharmed. He came out the car immediately after like nothing had happened and starting picking up the broken pieces,” the witness said.
The circuit was closed for approximately an hour while track officials repaired the damaged barriers and cleared debris. Drivers were subsequently escorted around the circuit in a convoy.
Sanchez spotted at another racing event
Sanchez was reportedly at the Nürburgring with six friends for a public track-day event organised by tour operator Circuit Days.
The event allowed participants to drive their own vehicles around the circuit after paying an entry fee.
The goalkeeper was also spotted at Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps the following day with the same group of friends, although he was reportedly watching rather than driving.
Sanchez is currently on loan at Italian club Como from Chelsea.