Sato survives A1-Ring smash

The Jordan driver and Nick Heidfeld were involved in a accident on lap 28 of the race when the rear end of the Sauber went flying into the side of the Japanese driver's Jordan at Turn 2 of the A1-Ring.

But speaking on ITV, Eddie Jordan said Sato had survived the horror smash relatively unscathed.

"Professor Watkins said that was the biggest miracle he's ever seen," said Jordan. "I was worried for a while there... I saw him pumping his heart. But he's down there, he's talking and fingers crossed he's not even broken a bone. It would appear there are no injuries at this time."

Sato has been taken by helicopter to hospital in Graz for observation and further tests. But it would seem he is just received bruising and could be fit for an historic Grand Prix in Monaco next weekend.

The crash happened after the race had just gone green following an incident where Olivier Panis's BAR had spun to a halt on the main straight had put the safety car out.

On the restart, Heidfeld's Sauber spun at high speed on the run up to Turn Two. His out-of-control Sauber careered onto the grass on the inside of the corner, just missed the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya on the apex, but hit the side of Sato's car as Japanese began to exit the Remus corner.

Heidfeld was carried out of the car by marshals but Sato had to wait until the medical crews were on the scene before he could be taken out of the Jordan.

Heidfeld also escaped without serious injury. The German seems to have suffered only slight bruising to his left leg.