The last-ever race in the FIA GT1 World Championship at Donington Park has been halted after just one lap due to a big crash on the exit of the first corner.
Vita4One BMW driver Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof was pushed wide at Redgate on the opening lap, and got into a tankslapper as he rejoined from the damp grass. He collected the Sunred Ford GT of Laurent Groppi, and both spun into the barriers.
Groppi's car charged into the tire wall, dislodging the tires so much that the race was immediately red-flagged to allow it to be rebuilt.
Mayr-Melnhof's BMW hit the concrete wall, putting it out of the event as well.
Only 10 cars will take the restart, which will decide whether Markus Winkelhock/Marc Basseng or Yelmer Buurman/Michael Bartels are crowned champions. The former pair's Munnich Mercedes outfit has clinched the teams' championship with the retirement of Vita4One's No. 17 car.
The restart will be in lap one order rather than a totally new event.