Horrifying moment Porsche race car driver flies off track and smashes into barrier in dramatic high-speed crash

THIS is the horrifying moment a Porsche race car flies off the track and crashes into trees in a smoky fireball. Manuel Gil Del Real was driving a No. 270 Porsche when his car went airborne after an apparent brake failure at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, California. The Porsche is seen airborne off the tracks Credit: Instagram/ @Kirstin_2008 The wreckage of Del Real’s car following the crash Footage captures the race car approaching the cork screw, an s-shaped turn, before the terrifying crash. Del Real can be seen driving at speed as his car goes airborne with streaks of white smoke coming off his tyres. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! He appears to lose brake function while approaching the raceway’s famous Zanardi “Corkscrew”. Spectators watch in shock as his vehicle flips and obliterates the fence, scattering debris in the air. His car somersaults and disappears into trees, leaving behind a large cloud of smoke billowing in the wind. Del Real miraculously survived what could’ve been a fatal crash and was airlifted to a local hospital. He is being evaluated and treated at Salinas Hospital, according to Porsche Motorsport North America. They said in a statement: “Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West driver Manuel Gil Del Real is awake following an on-track incident during Saturday morning’s race at Laguna Seca.” Most read in Sport Onlookers watch in horror as the vehicle smashes through the fence Credit: Instagram/@Kirstin_2008 Rescue crew salvaging pieces of the Porsche Credit: X / @RyanWevers Thankfully no onlookers or staff were injured as the race car flew into a confined area. Coincidentally, the “Zanardi Corkscrew” had only opened earlier that day in celebration of the late Alex Zanardi. That corner was chosen for his legendary pass there and win at Laguna Seca in 1996. Zanardi was a successful Formula One driver from 1991 to 1999 and CART driver from 1996 to 2001. The vehicle was obliterated, creating large clouds of white smoke Credit: Instagram/@Kirstin_2008 Debris of the car was found scattered across the field Credit: X / @RyanWevers He was involved in a tragic accident and had both legs amputated around the knee after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into another car. Zanardi then became a para-cyclist until his peaceful death on May 1, 2026. Del Real’s frightening accident occurred during the first race of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America support series. INDYCAR Series practice, which was scheduled next on the track, was delayed and shortened as the track made repairs. Following the accident they wrote on X: “UPDATE: The start of Practice 2 is on hold as track repairs are underway following an on-track incident this morning.” Comment now