Mika Salo stabbed in the leg in Thailand: fear for former Ferrari driver
What was supposed to be a relaxing holiday in Thailand turned into a frightening ordeal for former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo, who was hospitalized in Bangkok after suffering a knife wound to his leg.
According to the 59-year-old Finn, the incident happened completely unexpectedly while he was crossing the street at a pedestrian crossing. Speaking to Finnish newspaper IS, Mika Salo explained that the attack appeared to be random and was allegedly carried out by a motorcyclist passing by.
“I felt a small impact,” Mika Salo said, “but I didn’t realize anything had happened until a passerby pointed out that I was bleeding from my leg. I looked down and saw that my shoe was completely covered in blood.”
The injury and hospital treatment
The former Formula 1 driver was taken to hospital in Bangkok, where doctors examined the wound and reportedly concluded that it had been caused by a stabbing.
The incident understandably shocked the former Ferrari driver, who famously raced for the Maranello team in 1999 after being called up to replace Michael Schumacher following the German’s leg injury at Silverstone.
According to Mika Salo, hospital staff informed him that he was not the only victim that evening, with several other people reportedly admitted with similar injuries.
“It’s a shame,” Mika Salo added. “You can’t swim or practically do anything. You spend a lot of time in the hotel room. The wound stays dry in an air-conditioned room. The doctor told me not to walk long distances, but I can comfortably walk one or two kilometers. I’m not in pain and I haven’t taken any painkillers. I’m only taking antibiotics.”
The former Formula 1 racer also reflected on how much worse the situation could have been: “In a big city, there’s always room for idiots. Fortunately, this hit my leg and not somewhere else. They were just trying to hurt me, if they did it intentionally. If they had wanted to cause more damage, obviously they would have tried to hit the upper part of the body. In that case, maybe I wouldn’t have said anything.”
Police investigation underway
Mika Salo was later questioned by local police, to whom he reiterated that the attack appeared to be random and that nothing had been stolen from him during the incident.
Despite the frightening experience, the former Ferrari driver praised the response of the Thai authorities: “I have to compliment the Thai police,” Mika Salo explained. “They obtained security camera footage and other material in a very short time. Here, an injury involving a tourist is considered a major issue.”
The incident has raised concern among Formula 1 fans, especially considering Mika Salo remains a well-known figure in the paddock thanks to his years in the sport and his memorable stint with Ferrari during the 1999 F1 season.
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