Kiwi Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley was involved in a frightening crash during the final practice session of the British Grand Prix overnight.
The front-left suspension of Hartley's Toro Rosso car failed spectacularly as he approached the braking zone for Brooklands corner, and he went flying across the gravel and into a tyre barrier. Replays showed his vehicle also flipped over the wall.
The 28-year-old escaped the accident unscathed and was given the all-clear to continue driving.
He didn't take part in qualifying, meaning he will start from the back of the grid for tomorrow's race.
Toro Rosso confirmed its investigation into what happened is ongoing and as a result, they decided to keep Hartley's teammate Pierre Gasly in the garage for the rest of the session as it worked on understanding what had happened.
"Today's crash is another testament to these modern Formula 1 cars and safety," Hartley said.
"The fact that I was able to walk away from such an incident with no consequences shows how far safety has come in the sport. I'm fine, but the car wasn't.
"I'm disappointed I missed out on qualifying, as yesterday we gathered a lot of data preparing for today, and the first couple of corners the car was feeling pretty good.
"I was already three or four-tenths of a second quicker than yesterday, but then, a couple of corners later it was all over - I hit the brake pedal and all of a sudden the front suspension broke.
"However, I have full faith in everyone that they will get the car rebuilt and ready for the race, I'm remaining optimistic, and we'll come out fighting tomorrow."
Hartley is going to need to put in a big race at the Silverstone Circuit with reports suggesting he will be getting replaced next season.
According to Autosport, European Formula 3 title challenger Dan Ticktum is a strong contender to replace Hartley at Toro Rosso from 2019.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said Ticktum would be ready to compete in the F1 from next year.
"At the end of the season, yes," Marko told Autosport.
"At the Norisring, someone drives into him from the back; he goes to the hospital, says he wants to go out again - and wins the race afterwards!
"He's fast. Crazy, but fast. It fits us. He is only one point behind and had two technical defects.
"We're looking for the fastest. If they're characters, it fits, but someone doesn't have to be this crazy for us.
"We have now normalised Ticktum to some extent."
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