Fisichella unharmed after flip

Fisichella rode over the rear of David Coulthard's McLaren, which had slowed suddenly due to a lack of vision caused by Takuma Sato's blown Honda engine.

"I made a good start and was just driving gently, saving the tyres, when Sato's engine exploded," said Fisichella. "I'd seen it smoking after the second start, but nobody expected it to break like that. I had no vision at all. Barrichello and Montoya were in front, then suddenly there was a McLaren.

"I'm not sure why it was there, but the next thing I heard was the bang and I was upside down. The car took all the impact and I stayed in the cockpit until it all went quiet outside, just in case the accident wasn't finished. Then I got myself out. I'm okay, but very frustrated, because for sure we could have had P4 today."

Team principal Peter Sauber said: "We are very happy that Giancarlo escaped such a spectacular accident without harm, and are very sorry for him. He did a great job in qualifying with the heaviest fuel load and started the race with a lot of confidence and high expectations."