> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.the-race.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Big qualifying crash rules McLaren’s Hughes out of Rome opener
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/formula-e/big-qualifying-crash-rule-mclarens-hughes-out-of-rome-opener/
- Published: 2023-07-15T11:56:49.000Z
- Updated: 2023-09-15T16:51:54.000Z
- Description: McLaren will be down to one car for the first Rome Formula E race on Saturday afternoon due to Jake Hughes’ heavy qualifying crash
- Author: Matt Beer
- Tags: Formula E, #image-top-left

McLaren will be down to one car for the first Rome Formula E race on Saturday afternoon due to Jake Hughes’ heavy qualifying crash.

Hughes was third-fastest in his qualifying group when he lost control over a bump and slewed into the wall, before spearing back across the circuit for a second impact – unable to control the car due to the initial suspension damage.

> A nasty smash for [@McLarenFE](https://twitter.com/McLarenFE?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com)’s [@JakeHughesRace](https://twitter.com/JakeHughesRace?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) with the Group B session ending under a Red Flag. [@mitchevans\_](https://twitter.com/mitchevans%5F?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com), [@Sebastien\_buemi](https://twitter.com/Sebastien%5Fbuemi?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com), [@ReneRastRacing](https://twitter.com/ReneRastRacing?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) and [@edomortara](https://twitter.com/edomortara?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) progress to the Duels ⚔️[@Hankook\_Sport](https://twitter.com/Hankook%5FSport?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) [#RomeEPrix](https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomeEPrix?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) [pic.twitter.com/px6CO2aPPb](https://t.co/px6CO2aPPb?ref=the-race.com)
> 
> — ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) [July 15, 2023](https://twitter.com/FIAFormulaE/status/1680144535547006976?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com)

Though the medical crew was instantly deployed due to the size of the crash – and Hughes was initially silent on team radio – he was soon declared to be unhurt.

“Must have hit a bump slightly different to the lap before but it was all a bit sudden,” Hughes wrote on social media.

“A shame as we had strong pace by the looks of it.”

But McLaren faced an immediate problem because it shares a spare chassis with its powertrain supplier Nissan, and that had already been claimed by factory Nissan driver Norman Nato following an incident in Friday practice.

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2023/07/Spacesuit-Media-Peter-Minnig-408303-300x200.jpg)](https://www.the-race.com/formula-e/jaguars-eventful-route-to-a-big-formula-e-title-boost/)

Jaguar’s eventful route to a likely Formula E title boost

[Read more](https://www.the-race.com/formula-e/jaguars-eventful-route-to-a-big-formula-e-title-boost/)

Soon after qualifying it ascertained that there was no way Hughes’ damaged car could be repaired in the three-hour gap before the race – which was the only option with no spare available.

“Unfortunately, a combination of high damage to the car, and our shared spare manufacturer chassis already being taken up earlier this weekend by the Nissan Formula E team, leaves us in a position where we are unable to repair the car in time for the race,” said a McLaren statement.

“The team has started the hard work ahead to ensure we are back tomorrow with both cars.”

Hughes’ team-mate Rene Rast starts fifth behind the all-Jaguar front row of Mitch Evans and Sam Bird, works Nissan driver Sacha Fenestraz and Envision Jaguar runner Sebastien Buemi.