Since his accident during the last round of the 2019 European Le Mans Series, Christian England never went back on track and was focussed on his recovery. Last month, after the final round of the 2021 season, the British driver went back behind the wheel for the first time.
We have met Christian to knew his feeling about being back at the wheel of an LMP3.
Christian, can you remind us your story and what happened in 2019?
During the final race of the 2019 season at Portimão, I started P7 for the race and actually got a really good start. Coming into turn 4 on the first lap I think I was upto around P4/5 and tucked up behind the Ultimate LMP3 car in a good position. I managed to get a good run through turn 4 and I pulled out from behind the Ultimate car ready to be on the inside for the run down to the hairpin at turn 5. As soon as I had a clear view of the road ahead, immediately there was an LMP2 car right in front of me. It was one of those moments for a split second where you realise there is absolutely nothing you can do about it and that it’s probably going to be a bad outcome. I think I just managed to hit the brakes, but it did nothing. I believe I hit the rear corner of Jack Manchester’s LMP2 car, and it was just a huge sudden stop impact. I remember feeling winded and took a moment to try and figure out if everything was ok and what hurt! I didn’t really have any actual pain, but I had a weird sensation in my leg and foot, sort of a pins and needles sensation. I looked down at my legs and it was at that point where I realised it was very serious. I was actually looking at more of the sole of my race boot rather than the top of it. The impact had caused the rear corner of the LMP2 car to come through the front right corner of the tub and take my lower right leg and ankle with it. I was conscious throughout the whole accident and remember clearly opening the door and trying to take deep breaths and not to panic. Panic was starting to set in as the combination of where my foot ended up and the sight of blood led me to the conclusion that I had actually lost my foot. I took hold of my foot and placed it back into position of where it should be because I didn’t want to lose it when the extracted me from the car and I felt absolutely nothing. I also didn’t want to lose the boots I was wearing as they were actually a new pair of Fernando Alonso’s boots from when he raced with the team at Daytona! It was quite a while later when the hospital informed me, I hadn’t actually lost the limb, but it was probably due to nerve damage why I couldn’t feel anything. I was in Portugal for two weeks in two different hospitals for surgery and I have to say they did a wonderful job of putting my leg, foot and ankle back together! I want to thank everyone who helped me that day from the people at the circuit, to the medical staff at the hospital and everyone who helped me make a recovery, you know who you are!
On the 25th of October it was your first time back on track since 2019 and your accident at Portimão, how did it feel?
To come back on track again after such a long time out of the car was really special for me, and for it to be here on track in Portimão, it was a very fitting way to finally blast the cobwebs off and put an end to that difficult day in my mind. I’m such a big fan of the Portimão circuit, I’ve now got a love/hate kind of relationship with it! What getting back in the car did make me realise is just how fast these cars are. I think when you drive them a lot you take for granted that fact but having not jumped in one for 2 years, it certainly was a bit of a culture shock for the first couple of laps. But as the saying goes it’s like riding a bike, you never forget and the two days in the car went perfectly well and now it feels like I was never away, even if my neck is a little sore!
Did you have any concerns before jumping in the car?
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous before jumping back in the car. As a racing driver you aren’t or shouldn’t be scared of driving, but it was such a complicated injury and long road to recovery, I couldn’t help but feel like am I doing the right thing and what if I damage it again? After a few laps that feeling soon disappeared and all I could think about was how to gain a tenth in each corner and how to get the absolute maximum out of the car.
Do you already have any plans for the 2022 season?
At this moment in time, I have no set plans for 2022. The aim for the two-day test from my side was to simply enjoy it, enjoy the car, enjoy the circuit, enjoy the sunshine and put to bed any thoughts of the accident. I suppose the outcome of the test may or may not lead to a drive for next year but either way I want to say a massive thank you to Richard Dean and the whole of United Autosports for giving me the opportunity to drive these fantastic cars again, and for putting a huge smile on my face!
