Natacha Gachnang eyes Le Mans for post-crash return [w/video]

When we first spoke of Natacha Gachnang, she was racing in the nascent Formula Two series. This year, however, she's driving the Matech Ford GT in the FIA GT1 World Championship. Unfortunately, she was sidelined during the opening round at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit after following a crash that broke her right leg in two places. By the closing laps, the Ford was leaking brake fluid, forcing Gachnang to compensate by applying extra pedal pressure. Heading into turn 8 at the end of the straight, her foot slipped and hit the accelerator instead, sending the car into the safety barrier at around 160 miles per hour.

Gachnang was rushed to nearby Sheikh Khalifa Hospital, where she's been recuperating from the double compound fracture, biding her time until she can put enough weight on the leg to drive again. She's hoping for a June return, just in time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Meanwhile, Matech's tentatively pulled its Ford GT from the grid until it can figure out what caused the fluid leak in the first place. Gachnang's crash at Abu Dhabi was caught on tape and is available after the jump.

[Source: FIA GT1 World Championship]

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