Conor Daly rebounded rather nicely in Thursday’s round of GP2 Series testing, as he ended the final day of preseason testing in Abu Dhabi seventh fastest for Venezuela GP Lazarus. His best time was 1:51.994, nine tenths behind afternoon session leader Arthur Pic of Campos Racing.
The fact the young American was even back in a car at all today was a very good story to begin with.
On Wednesday, Daly, who had been a last-minute appointee to Lazarus’ second car for the test, was contacted exiting the pits by his former GP3 Series teammate Facu Regalia.
The resulting contact at Turn 18 pitched Daly into a frightening multiple barrel roll. In a text, Daly told MotorSportsTalk it was the worst accident of his career. Considering he had this horror smash at Monaco in 2012 in GP3, that’s saying something.
There is no video of the accident available at the moment.
Here’s the series of tweets Daly posted on Wednesday, followed by the much better update ones on Thursday.
Unfortunate lack of respect on track led to a big incident. I was on a lap with purple 1st sector green 2nd sector and another car came out-
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 12, 2014
Of the pits going slow on line in most blind and quick section of the track, last sector in front of hotel an I could not miss him.
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 12, 2014
Its a real shame. We were quickest car on track until I started barrel rolling. I’m okay. @teamlazarus made huge progress today before that
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 12, 2014
“@willbuxton: @ConorDaly22 Holy WOW. Double Right before Hotel? Where Rosberg went over Karthikeyan a few years ago in F1?” Yep
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 12, 2014
@ConorDaly22 @willbuxton Here you are after you’ve exited the car! Not sure if you heard us clap for u at the hotel 👏 pic.twitter.com/yXAWpZvQ9R
— L.A.K. (@pearlaceous) March 12, 2014
Still ended up P10 this morning even without getting to finish the big lap I was on before the shunt. Big step up from yesterday. More tmrw
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 12, 2014
After today’s running, he had this better news to tweet.
Went from a hospital last night getting x-rays an my ankle wrapped to ending today P7. Thankful for the great opportunity @teamlazarus#GP2
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 13, 2014
Jon Lancaster of MP Motorsport set the fastest time overall at 1:49.653.