Former F1 racer Justin Wilson in a coma after injuries sustained in IndyCar race

Former Formula 1 driver and current IndyCar racer Justin Wilson is currently in a coma after being hit by debris from Sage Karam's car in the closing stages of the ABC Supply 500 at the Pocono Raceway in the United States on Sunday.

Karam’s car crashed in front of Wilson on the 179th lap of the race, with one of the pieces of debris hitting Wilson on his head. The resulting trauma rendered Wilson unconscious, causing the 37-year-old's car to careen into the inside wall. Wilson was immediately taken to a local hospital where his conditions was described as ‘critical’."

Verizon IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson sustained a severe head injury during today's event at Pocono Raceway. Wilson is currently in a coma and in critical condition while undergoing further evaluation at Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown, Pa,’’ read a statement from series organisers.

Wilson competed in F1 for Minardi and Jaguar in 2003, with an eighth place finish at Indianapolis being the best result. A move to open-wheel racing in America yielded far better results, with six pole positions and four wins in 54 starts in the Champ Car World Series from 2004 to 2007 followed by another three wins in 120 starts when the series morphed into the IndyCar Series from 2008.