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Another death at Interlagos

ESPNF1 Staff
April 21, 2011 « 'Formula One is not for sale' - Ecclestone | »
Paulo Kunze crashed while overtaking at the fast left-handed Curva do Sol © Sutton Images
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Paulo Kunze has become the second driver to die at Interlagos in less than three weeks.

During a stock car race on Sunday, the 67-year-old Stock Paulista driver crashed at the Curva do Sol - the long left handed turn three - and suffered severe head injuries after his car somersaulted numerous times. Despite being taken to hospital he fell in to a coma and died on Wednesday.

The death follows that of Gustavo Sondermann in a stock car race at the circuit two weeks prior to Kunze's accident. Sondermann's crash occurred at the Curva do Cafe corner, resulting in his car bouncing off the wall back on to the racing line. The fatality led to calls for a run-off area to be installed ahead of this year's Brazilian Grand Prix after Rafael Sperafico was killed in a near-identical accident in 2007.

Following consultation with the FIA, circuit organisers have since said that they will be removing a section of seating in order to make the necessary safety changes.

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