F1 pundit Davidson in hospital after Le Mans crash

F1 television pundit Anthony Davidson is in hospital after a huge airborne crash during the fabled Le Mans 24 hour race.

The 33-year-old former Super Aguri driver, whilst at the wheel of a Toyota hybrid prototype sports car late on Saturday, was taken to the medical centre after the incident involving a GT runner that was being lapped.

Briton Davidson’s car became airborne before it smashed into the barrier at the high-speed Mulsanne corner, at the end of the famous Mulsanne straight where cars reach over 330kph.

"After getting out of the car on his own, he was taken to the circuit medical centre suffering from shock and back pain. Despite no obvious injuries, he was taken to hospital for checks which revealed breaks to his T11 and T12 vertebrae.

"Those injuries are expected to heal fully in approximately three months and he will remain in hospital until Monday," Toyota said in a statement.

Davidson, who is a pundit for British Sky television at grands prix and also still a development driver for Mercedes GP, was visited by his teammate Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull’s F1 reserve and a former Toro Rosso driver.