Wickens set for surgery following IndyCar Pocono crash

Robert Wickens is set to undergo surgery following his horrific crash in the ABC Supply 500 IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway which saw the Canadian involved in a multi-car incident and was airlifted to hospital.

The Schmidt Peterson Motorsport driver collided with Ryan Hunter-Reay and teammate James Hinchcliffe on the seventh lap of the 200-lap oval race and was launched by the Andretti Autosport driver’s car into the wall and catch fence.

Wickens’s car grinded along the side of the wall before spinning back on to the track and coming to a rest on the inside lane.

The race was halted immediately so medical teams could attend the drivers involved with Wickens reported to have been in an “awake and alert” state before being taken to hospital by helicopter.

In a joint release by IndyCar organisers and the SMP team, Wickens is being treated for ‘injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine’.

He is likely to require surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest with further updates set to be issued.

“Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is being treated for injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine following an incident in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway,” the statement read. “He also sustained a pulmonary contusion.

“He will undergo an MRI and probable surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest. Further updates on his condition will be provided when available.”

Wickens is completing his rookie year in IndyCar having acted as the teams’ test driver last season combining his efforts with his final DTM campaign for Mercedes.

The 29-year-old currently leads the rookie standings, and is sixth in the overall championship, having taken four podium results this year plus pole position on debut at St Petersburg.

Both Hunter-Reay and Hinchcliffe walked away from the incident with no reported injuries.