Silverstone F1 test: Van der Garde escapes injury in huge crash

The Sauber reserve driver lost control at the exit of Copse, hitting the barrier on the outside of the circuit and suffering significant damage to the car.

Damage to the barrier meant that the session, which had just 20 minutes remaining when he crashed could not restart.

Van der Garde had to visit the medical centre after the automatic G-loading sensor was triggered by the size of the impact

"This is really one of the biggest crashes I've had," he told AUTOSPORT.

"All the [G-sensor] lights went on on the car so I had to go to the medical centre. They checked everything and I am fine.

"It was really strange with the crosswinds. The wind picked up in the afternoon and as I came out of the corner I had a little snap and caught it, but then suddenly it went the other way.

"I lost it completely and I went into the barrier on the outside. It was broken, so that's why they could not restart the session."

Van der Garde was satisfied with progress up to that point as he ended the test fourth fastest.

In total, he completed 84 laps before his accident, which included work running without the FRIC suspension system that is set to be banned for the German Grand Prix.

"It [the crash] was a pity because we were going quite well today," said van der Garde.

"This afternoon we had a different programme because of what is happening with the [FRIC] ban so we had to try a different philosophy.

"The team was quite happy but today was not easy because of the wind."