Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Izzy Hammond, daughter of former motorsport personality Richard Hammond, walked away uninjured from a high-speed crash during the Formula E Evo Sessions event at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The incident occurred during the Duals stage of the competition, which features celebrities and online personalities competing on behalf of professional teams.
The 25-year-old, racing for Team Senor Frogs, lost control around a corner approximately one minute into her lap, colliding with the barrier. Despite the significant impact – described by Hammond as “not a small crash” – she was evaluated by medical staff on-site and cleared, though the car sustained substantial damage.
“I saw the wall coming and knew I was going to enter it at speed,” Hammond explained after the incident. “It wasn’t a small crash. If you’re going to crash, you’ve got to really crash.” She added with a touch of humor, “Yeah, the car’s not in one piece though. I’m good.”
Immediately following the crash, Hammond’s primary concern was for her father, a sentiment she shared via Instagram. “My first thought when I was sat in that wall was ‘oh my god, everyone’s watching, my dad’s watching,’” she recounted. “He’s going to cry or something. Can someone just tell him I’m ok?’”
The incident brought back poignant memories for Richard Hammond, who himself suffered a near-fatal high-speed crash in while attempting a land speed record. He was in a coma for two weeks following that accident.
Hammond attributed the crash to a lack of heat in her tires, leading to a loss of grip while braking, and turning. “I don’t think I had enough heat in my tyres, so I was trying to brake and I was trying to turn with no heated tyres so it all went a little bit t*** up and I hit the wall with 24Gs,” she explained.
Despite the wrecked vehicle, Hammond maintained a positive outlook, apologizing to her team, Lola, for the damage. “Massive apologies to my team [Lola]. They’ve been so amazing, and I return the favour by putting my car into a wall sideways, and destroying it. So that’s not great!”
The Formula E Evo Sessions event pits content creators against each other in a series of timed laps. Hammond was joined on Team Senor Frogs by fellow influencers Joshua Larkin (TheBurntChip), William Lenney (WillNe), Arthur Frederick (ArthurTV), and Ethan Payne (Behzinga).
The crash quickly drew attention online, with fans and fellow competitors expressing relief that Hammond escaped unharmed. The incident underscores the inherent risks involved in motorsport, even in events designed for entertainment and influencer engagement.
While the crash ended her participation in the Duals stage, Hammond’s quick wit and concern for her father resonated with many, highlighting the close bond between the two. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by drivers at all levels of competition, and the importance of safety measures in motorsport.
