Courtney suffers high-speed crash

Courtney was driving an original-spec Jaguar R3, carrying out mechanical testing for the 2003 design, when he suffered a rear suspension failure that pitched him into the barrier at the Ascari chicane. Both the front and rear wing and all four wheels were removed from the car in the impact. The Australian was taken to the circuit's medical centre and then on to a local hospital as he suffered mild concussion.

He has undergone X-rays and other checks to ensure there are no other problems. Jaguar spokesman Nav Sidhu said: "It was quite a big accident. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation."

The session was stopped for almost 40 minutes while the barrier was repaired. Despite the setback, Pedro de la Rosa will drive the revised R3 for the rest of the day.

The approach to Ascari is one of the quickest parts of the historic circuit, with cars topping 200mph prior to the braking zone.