Infotainment Factory: Car lands on grandstand in death-defying crash

World motorsport's governing body says it will investigate a crash that saw a car leap over a tyre barrier, through a catch fence, and into a grandstand at a world-class circuit.

Fortunately, no one was sitting where the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car landed during a practice session.

The car was competing in a support class, Porsche Sprint Cup, ahead of the second FIA World Endurance Championship in Portugal.

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The 6 Hours of Portimao takes place at Algarve International Circuit, which is a grade one circuit.

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car of Alexandre Areia sat in the grandstand.

The facility can host Formula 1 races, and twice held the Portuguese Grand Prix in 2020 and 2021.

The crash is of particular concern considering the circuit has the highest safety rating possible with motorsport's governing body, the FIA.

"The FIA is looking into the incident that occurred during the first practice session of the Porsche Sprint Series Iberica at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve," a statement from the FIA read.

"The FIA is currently in the process of gathering information and a review by the FIA Circuits Commission will follow.

"The FIA is working closely with the staff of the circuit and the event organisers. The grandstand will remain closed until further notice.

"Improving safety is a continuous process, therefore conclusions drawn from this incident, and others from around the world will be integrated into the ongoing development of motor sport safety."

Alexandre Areia reportedly suffered a brake failure at turn one, before crashing over the wall.

"I practically became a passenger," said Aeira, who did not suffer any injuries.

"Luckily there was no one in that area of the grandstand and I managed to get out of the accident unharmed, thanks to the safety level of that car."

Former Top Gear host and ex-Formula 1 driver Tiff Needell offered his insight into the crash.

"Terrifying crash at Portimao which would surely have led to several casualties had the stand been full," he wrote on Twitter.

"Scary that, in these very safety conscious days, a tall enough fence hadn't been installed.

"Unlike the Zhou (Guanyu) incident, perhaps there is too big a gap between tyres and fence."

Needell referenced the Zhou incident at the British Grand Prix in which the Alfa Romeo driver flipped before going over a tyre barrier at the Silverstone Circuit.

The crash prompted further enhancements to Formula 1 car safety.

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