Massa Under Observation after Crash

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa is under observation after crashing in pre-season testing for the Sauber Formula One team in Barcelona on Wednesday.

"It would be pre-emptive to give a medical condition but Felipe was able to get out of the car himself, which is a big indication to his well-being" said Sauber's head of communications Hanspeter Brack.

"We do not know the reasons for the accident but our engineers say it was not due to driver error. We now need some time to analyse the car and the parts. The car will be taken back to our factory in Switzerland."

A statement on the Circuit de Catalunya website said Massa left the track at the end of the main straight.

"The causes of the accident, which took place at 9.35am (local time) on the fourth lap of the morning testing session are unknown," it read. "The car spun out across the escape gravel and slowed down before hitting the tyre wall where it stopped.

"The driver was able to walk away from the car, but the medical services decided to evacuate him to the Catalunya General Hospital as a precautionary measure where he will remain under observation."

Massa, who signed a two-year contract with Sauber in October, will partner Italian Giancarlo Fisichella this year. He returned to the team after spending last year as a test driver with Ferrari.