Abbie Eaton and Marta Garcia to miss W Series finale

2021 United States Grand Prix

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Two drivers have been ruled out of competing in today’s W Series finale at the Circuit of the Americas.

Marta Garcia will miss the race due to illness, the series confirmed. Abbie Eaton will also not take part in the season-closing race after suffering a spinal fracture in the opening event on Saturday.

Eaton was shown stopped on-track with suspension damage, but the incident that had led to the failure was not initially broadcast. Amateur footage showed Eaton running over the kerbs at turn 15 and being launched, the front of her car raising up until only the rear wheels were in contact with the ground.

W Series said in a statement: “Abbie Eaton will not compete in today’s final race of the season after suffering a T4 compound fracture during yesterday’s race at COTA.” A T4 compound fracture is in the upper spine.

“Abbie is in good spirits at Dell Seton Hospital where she is being treated,” the statement continued. “Everyone at W Series wishes her a speedy recovery.”

Earlier in the day Miki Koyama retired from qualifying due to a suspension problem. Several Formula 1 drivers have said the Circuit of the America’s rough and bumpy surface is putting their cars under strain.

Garcia was due to start today’s race from fourth on the grid, 10 places ahead of Eaton. Their absence promotes one of the two title contenders, Alice Powell, to eighth. Championship rival and points leader Jamie Chadwick starts from pole position.

Garcia and Eaton are 12th and 13th in the championship ahead of the race. While Eaton was unable to automatically qualify for a place in next year’s field, Garcia stood a chance of taking the fifth place finish she needed to do so.

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Author information

Hazel Southwell
Hazel is a motorsport and automotive journalist with a particular interest in hybrid systems, electrification, batteries and new fuel technologies....

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4 comments on “Abbie Eaton and Marta Garcia to miss W Series finale”

  1. Wow. Shocked to read about Abbie. Glad she’s in good spirits. Hope she recovers quickly.

  2. Neck has 7 spinal bones. 4th is almost middle of it.

  3. T4 thoracic vertebra is the fourth down of twelve thoracic vertebrae. One of the most common vertebrae to fracture. Very painful.

  4. Great job Michael, you did it again. These massive kerbs should not be in use much less positioned the way they are. After Monza last year this is the second broken neck on Masi.

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