Project 1-AO Withdraws from Spa After Hyett Accident

Project 1-AO has withdrawn its No. 56 Porsche 911 RSR-19 from the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps after a heavy accident for PJ Hyett in GTE-Am qualifying.

The American Bronze-rated driver lost control of the Porsche and struck the right-side tire barriers at Raidillon, causing extensive damage to the car’s right-front corner.

Hyett was taken to the circuit medical center for checks before going to a local hospital, accompanied by co-driver Gunnar Jeannette, for further evaluation of back pain.

Team principal Axel Funke later confirmed to Sportscar365 that he has since been released from the hospital, while the Porsche chassis was too badly damaged to race.

“We were of course very concerned about PJ’s condition, the impact was quite severe,” Funke said in a team statement.

“We assume that he will be top fit again until Le Mans, we know about his speed and that we are able to win with him, Gunnar, Matteo and the team. I’m very happy that he’s already feeling better.”

Hyett and Jeannette are sharing the No. 56 Porsche with Matteo Cairoli in the FIA World Endurance Championship this season.

They finished 12th in the 1000 Miles of Sebring before the American duo, who represent the AO Racing part of the entry, missed the next round at Portimao due to a date clash with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

When asked about the cause of the Spa qualifying accident, Funke rejected the notion that it was caused by a lack of tire warmers which is a new rule in the WEC this year.

“He had a purple last sector and the lap before,” said Funke. “We’re just analyzing. The tires were there – it wasn’t cold tires.”