Yes, you've heard it right! While trying to approach a low-speed corner on Lap 5 of the Donington Park race (first one scheduled on Sunday), Supersonic Racing Team's Maxime Berger lost the rear wheel of his privateer Ducati and subsequently crashed on the track.
“A strange and unexpected incident caused by a defective rim that irreparably compromised the race of the French,” sounded the official reaction of his team following the incident. Fortunately enough, the wheel incident happened in a safe section of the track, on a braking zone, and Berger did not sustain any serious injuries.
“I'm disappointed and incredulous,” said Berger after the first race. He was later able to resume action at Donington Park for the second race of the weekend. “I was not ever having to stop twice so strange for two reasons. The circle has suddenly surrendered and I was lucky because he broke into a slow corner. I found in the earth without understanding what had happened.”
Supersonic team manager Danilo Soncini was also disappointed and frustrated with the problem, especially since it was followed by a reliability issue in Race 2 (which caused Berger to retire only meters into the running).
“I am speechless,” said Soncini. “We were forced to retire in both races and after only a few laps because of two incidents and incredible that they have nothing in common with each other. The rear rim which sold in the race had played only a few races, while the friction that has obliged us to retire in the second round had been tested and worked perfectly.”
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