Tony Kanaan's season took a turn for the worse on Saturday when he crashed his Reynard-Mercedes at high speed at the Belle Islꦑe circuit in Detroitꦬ.

The Brazilian driver suffered several fractured ribs, ꦓa fractured forearm and a partially collapsed lung when the accident occurred mid way through Kanaan's final session of qualifying at the tight ❀and twisty track.

The Mo Nunn driver was airlifted to a local hospital where he is said to 🎐be awake and alert. According to CART Dr Steve Olvey, Kanaan briefly lapsed into unconsciousness but was talkin🦩g when he reached the hospital. "His injuries are all fixable, and he could be back within 6-8 weeks."

Ironically, Kanaan was putting in one of his best performances this year when the crash occurred and his time was still good enough for 13th place on the grid. No r🐟eplacement can be used this weekend and Mo Nunn hasn't made any announcement concerning a long🎀-term replacement.