David Coulthard crashed out at 140mph during opening practice for the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps this morning.
The Scot smashed into a perimeter fencing after losing control at the exit to Les Fagnes.
The 30-year-old lost his front right tyre in the impact and also badly damaged the nose but he was able to immediately step out of the cockpit.
Coulthard, battling to claim the runners-up spot in the championship behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, had only completed two laps of today's opening session which he predictably finished in 22nd and last place.
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve was another who found the track too tough to handle this morning as he slid into the gravel in his British American Racing car and wound up 20th.
But newly-crowned champion Schumacher was having no problems on his favourite circuit where he scored his maiden win in 1992 as he finished the session in top spot - just over 0.7 secs quicker than Jordan's Benetton-bound Jarno Trulli.
Brazil's Rubens Barrichello was third fastest in his Ferrari from Finland's Mika Hakkinen in the other McLaren with Ralf Schumacher fifth for Williams-BMW and Jean Alesi sixth in the other Jordan.
Eddie Irvine was 12th quickest for Jaguar Racing with Jenson Button 16th for Benetton.
PA