Briton Jenson Button was taken to hospital after he crashed his BAR-Honda heavily out of morning practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Button, 23, lost control of his car 20 minutes into the session as he exited the tunnel at the highest speed corner on the circuit and he hit the barriers heavily sideways at the end of the chicane.
The session was stopped immediately and marshals spent 10 minutes tending to Button in his car before he was cut out of the car and stretchered into a waiting ambulance.
He was immediately seen by the FIA medical deligate Professor Sid Watkins, who pronounced him fully conscious and in good condition. BAR have been told that Button has not broken any bones.
Button's father was watching the incident from the BAR-Honda motorhome, and said he had been told by the team his son was in a good condition. Button, a Monaco resident, was then taken to the circuit medical centre before being taken to the Princess Grace hospital in Monaco.
"He's alright," said team boss Richards. "He is perfectly alright. I'm going to see him in hospital now. He's having a check over but hopefully he will be okay for this afternoon. We'll have to see."
It was suggested that a possible suspension failure or a puncture had caused Button to lose control of his car. Technical director Willis said there were no initial signs that a car failure had caused the accident.
He added that the team had done checks before Button's team-mate Jacques Villeneuve went out on track.
Technical director Geoff Willis said: "Jenson was certainly close to the barriers but whether the car stepped out of line we don't know.
"It didn't look anything to be concerned about and we discussed it with Jacques before he went out."