A chilling moment unfolded at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as Izzy Hammond, daughter of renowned presenter Richard Hammond, walked away from a harrowing high-speed crash during a Formula E Evo Sessions event. The impact, reported to be between 40 and 45g, sent shockwaves through the event and sparked immediate concern.
Hammond, competing against other influencers and online personalities, lost control heading into Turn 13. She described a terrifying realization: “I saw the wall coming and knew I was going to enter it at speed.” The car slammed into the barrier, a collision she later acknowledged was anything but minor.
Despite the violent impact, Izzy remarkably emerged unscathed, undergoing a routine check-up with the circuit’s medical team. Her immediate concern, however, wasn’t her own well-being, but the reaction of her father. “My first thought when I was sat in that wall was ‘Oh my god, everyone’s watching, my dad’s watching. He’s gonna cry or something,’” she confessed.
The crash stemmed from a combination of factors, Izzy explained in a subsequent Instagram video. She suspected insufficiently heated tires contributed to the loss of control, forcing her to attempt a risky maneuver – braking and turning simultaneously. She quickly apologized to her team for the damage to the vehicle.
This incident resonates deeply considering Richard Hammond’s own history with high-speed crashes. In 2006, a jet-powered dragster accident at nearly 300mph left him in a coma for two weeks. Then, in 2017, a fiery crash while filming The Grand Tour resulted in a fractured knee.
Izzy’s competition included a diverse group of online stars like TheBurntChip, WillNE, ArthurTV, and Behzinga, alongside prominent figures like Khaby Lame. While her race ended prematurely, her quick recovery and concern for her father offered a reassuring message to fans.
“I’m good,” she stated simply, later confirming on Instagram, “I’m alive!” The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks of motorsports, even in influencer-focused events, and the enduring bond between a daughter and her father.
