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Sophia Floersch tells fans she 'survived' 11-hour operation to fix shattered spine and is not paralysed after horror crash

Teenage German Formula Three driver Sophia Floersch has told fans she survived a spine operation well with “no fear of paralysis” after a horror crash at the Macau Grand Prix.

The 17-year-old suffered a spinal fracture at the street circuit on Sunday when her car catapulted off the track and into a photographers’ bunker while travelling at more than 171 mph.

After a successful 11-hour operation, Sophia Floersch posted on social media today to thank well-wishers for giving her courage and motivation and vowed to make a comeback.

She wrote: “I survived the operation which took 11 hours well. Hope from now on it only gets better. I have to stay a few more days in Macau until I’m transportable."

German driver Sophia Floersch during the 65th Macau Grand Prix (EPA)
German driver Sophia Floersch during the 65th Macau Grand Prix (EPA)

Before promising she is "going to come back", she added: “I want to thank all of my fans for every single get-well wishes, which I now start reading. This really motivates me and gives me courage.

“My thoughts are also with everyone who was involved in the accident. I hope everybody is healthy.

“At the accident were really nice people, which I still have in my mind. Thank you for all the encouraging, calming words in these tough minutes in my car.

“Also a special thanks to Dr Riccardo Ceccarelli and my Team Van Amersfoort Racing, Facu and Ferdinand, who all suffer with me - you are phenomenal."

German racer Sophia Floersch's car flying off the track at the Formula Three Macau Grand Prix in Macau (AFP/Getty Images)
German racer Sophia Floersch's car flying off the track at the Formula Three Macau Grand Prix in Macau (AFP/Getty Images)

Team boss Frits Van Amersfoort told the BBC “everything is working and everything is in order” with Ms Floersch.

He said: “Paralysis was the main fear. That’s why the operation had to be done quite quickly because there was a danger it [the spinal cord] could be damaged.

“We are extremely happy that she is now recovering and that everything went extremely well.

"There’s no fear of paralysis whatsoever.”

Ms Floersch was conscious when she was taken to hospital in the former Portuguese colony, assuring her followers on Twitter at the time that she was fine.

Shocking footage shows the Formula Three crash (Lucas Lam)
Shocking footage shows the Formula Three crash (Lucas Lam)

Jean Todt, president of the governing International Automobile Federation, later promised a full investigation into the horror crash.

"After the serious incident today in Macau the FIA is mobilised to help those involved and analyse what happened," he said. "We will monitor the situation and make the necessary conclusions."

Japanese driver Sho Tsuboi, who Ms Floersch hit before flying through the catch fencing, was also taken to hospital complaining of back pain. He has now been discharged.

Chief Medical Officer of the Macau Grand Prix, Chan Wai Sin, said two photographers and one track marshal were also injured in the crash and taken to hospital for treatment.

Crashes are frequent at the Macau Grand Prix which this year, in its 65th edition, hosted six car and motorcycle races on the 6.2-km Guia Circuit around the streets of the island.

Last year, British motorcyclist Daniel Hegarty died after hitting the safety barrier during a race, the eighth rider to have lost his life on the circuit since 1973.

Three motorcyclists were taken to hospital after crashes at the circuit this week with Britain Andrew Dudgeon requiring a metal rod to be inserted in his spine after a crash in practice.

Mr Dudgeon comes from Britain's Isle of Man where 270 motorcyclists have been killed in competition on the island's TT circuits over the last 120 years.