Heidfeld survives horror Formula E crash

German driver Nick Heidfeld has survived a horror crash after his car was sent flipping into the air by rival driver Nicolas Prost during Formula E’s inaugural race in China.

The Beijing race was set to usher in a new age of motor racing with the single-seater championship the world’s first fully-electric racing series.

But instead, the 25-lap opener of the 10-race championship was marred by a spectacular and dramatic last-lap collision between Heidfeld and Prost.

In the footage, race leader Prost, who started on pole, turns onto the back straight with Venturi driver Heidfeld in close pursuit.

As the cars speed towards the final corner and the short run to the chequered flag, Heidfeld makes his move, pulling out from behind Prost and moving up the inside of the E.Dams-Renault racer.

Suddenly, Prost veers dramatically into Heidfeld, causing the 37-year-old’s car to launch off the kerb and slam into the barriers, the vehicle flipping through the air before landing upside down with Heidfeld trapped inside.

“I thought it was going to be a very big crash,” Heidfeld told the Formula E website. “Once I hit the kerb it felt like I was in the air for ever.

“I closed my eyes and waited for the impact and then I thought: ‘Oh, that was lucky.’ I have a small pain in my calf but apart from that I’m perfectly fine.”

The resulting damage put both cars out of the race, leaving Brazilian Lucas di Grassi to claim victory for the Audi Sport ABT team.