Escotto withdraws from F3 finale after road accident; Xie also sidelined

Ricardo Escotto has been withdrawn from the final round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship at Madring after being involved in a road traffic accident, with AIX Racing confirming he will not compete this weekend on medical advice. Gerrard Xie has also been ruled out of the season finale, with DAMS Lucas Oil confirming the driver's absence following his heavy crash at Monza.

Why it matters:

The final round of the F3 season will see both AIX Racing and DAMS Lucas Oil field only two cars apiece, thinning the grid for a championship that is still being decided. Escotto's withdrawal removes a competitive driver from the mix, while Xie's injury adds a difficult end to a season that showed promise.

The details:

• AIX Racing team manager Kenny Kirwan expressed concern for Escotto, saying: "Our thoughts are firmly with him and his family as he focuses on his recovery."
• Xie, who sits P22 in the standings with one win and 20 points, has not disclosed the nature of his injury from the Monza crash, where his car was momentarily airborne.
• Driver reaction: Xie took to Instagram, calling the news "hard to process" and thanking his team and team-mates for the year. He said he will support the team from the sidelines and expects to "be back soon."
• Grid impact: Both AIX Racing and DAMS Lucas Oil will field two cars each in Madrid, reducing the field for the season's final race.

What's next:

With both drivers sidelined, the focus shifts to the remaining drivers and the championship battle. Escotto's recovery takes precedence as the F3 season concludes at Madring, while Xie has already set his sights on a return.