Sky Sports F1 pundit ‘shaken up’ after scary fireball crash in front of family

Karun Chandhok was caught in a fire at Goodwood (Image: Goodwood Road & Racing YouTube) Sky Sports pundit and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok  has admitted he was left ‘shaken up’ by a terrifying incident at Goodwood earlier last weekend. The Indian driver was fortunate to escape uninjured from a huge fireball as flames engulfed his car, with Chandhok revealing how he was left affected as a result of the encounter. Chandhok was driving in the Lavant Cup event at the Goodwood racetrack, which is most famous for hosting the Festival of Speed as well as other classic car events. The 39-year-old’s family were watching on from the grandstands as the incident unfolded. The Indian driver was drifting around a corner when the underside of his car caught fire. Flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle, leaving Chandhok scrambling to exit the car on time. Thankfully, he escaped the blaze without any serious injuries or burns.  Speaking to Sky Sports News presenter Craig Slater about the crash, Chandhok explained: ‘Well I think certainly I was shaken up by it because it wasn’t expected. “Obviously, I’ve raced at Goodwood now, this is my 10th year, and you’re always conscious of the fact that you’re driving cars made 50, 60, 70 years ago. Sometimes even more. ‘And there are high risks involved with driving cars that are that age, but in my 23 years of racing that’s the first fire I’ve experienced. Can’t say I want to experience it again, it wasn’t pleasant. ‘But I got away with it. [I’m] very lucky and very fortunate it happened at a slow part of the track. The engine just let go and dumped a load of oil on the exhaust. But my family were actually in the grandstands, so I think they were slightly taken aback, but everyone [was] glad I got out okay. Chandhok was lucky to escape the blaze with no injuries (Image: Getty) ‘Was it worth it, or is it worth it? I still love motor racing, Craig. Ultimately love driving race cars, so I will certainly be back and actually, I was back driving the next day in a Jaguar E-Type at Goodwood anyway.’ Chandhok’s close call was just one of a few major incidents to occur at Goodwood this summer after spectators were nearly injured by a rogue tyre at the Festival of Speed in July. Thankfully, as was the case with Chandhok, nobody was seriously hurt as a result. A Jaguar Mk1 was attempting the hill climb event when its left-rear tyre became detached and bounced off the track and over the barriers behind which the spectators were situated.