Former F1 driver Mika Salo survives suspected knife attack in Thailand
Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo has been hospitalised with a deep leg wound after suffering a suspected knife attack by a passing moped rider while on holiday in Thailand.
The Finnish ex-racer was crossing a pedestrian intersection in the Thai capital on Tuesday when he felt a sudden impact from a passing scooter.
Unaware of the severity of the strike, the 109-race motorsport veteran only realised he had been injured when a bystander pointed out his heavy bleeding.
“I looked down and saw that my shoe was completely covered in blood.”
Mika Salo
Deep gash requires hospital treatment
A local taxi driver rushed the Scandinavian to a nearby hospital after he discovered a severe gash on his calf.
Medical professionals treating the wound concluded that the clean, straight cut was highly likely to have been inflicted by a sharp blade.
Staff at the medical facility subsequently informed the former Ferrari stand-in that several other individuals had been admitted that evening with similar injuries.
The unidentified moped rider is believed to have embarked on a random stabbing rampage across the city.
Recovery and ruined holiday plans
Salo famously stepped up to drive for Ferrari during the 1999 season when he replaced Michael Schumacher following the German’s leg-breaking crash at Silverstone.
Now dealing with his own serious leg trauma, the 57-year-old has been placed on a strict course of antibiotics but currently requires no pain medication.
Medical advice dictates that the wound must remain completely dry to prevent infection in the heavily humid Asian climate.
“It’s a shame. You can’t swim or really do anything. You spend quite a lot of time in the hotel room.”
Mika Salo
Refusing to live in fear
Despite the distressing nature of the random assault, the racing veteran insists he will not let the incident ruin his perspective on the city.
He considers himself fortunate that the attacker only targeted his lower body rather than striking a more vulnerable area.
“If they had wanted to do more damage, of course they would have tried to hit someone’s upper body. Then maybe I wouldn’t say much here.”
Mika Salo