Sainz dramatically crashes out of qualifying at Imola

Carlos Sainz has crashed out of qualifying in the Q2 session at Imola, as the Ferrari driver made a critical error while on a flying lap.

With rain threatening when the session began, Sainz was working his way through a flying lap as he approached the final corner. Turning in, the Spaniard appeared to lose the rear of his F1-75 and slid off sideways into the gravel to strike the barriers.

With the damage too much to get out of the gravel and continue, Sainz radioed in an apology and clambered free of his stricken Ferrari.

Having signed a contract extension with Ferrari in the days heading into the Scuderia's home race, Sainz's mistake comes two weeks after he spun out of the Australian Grand Prix.

However, despite his error, he looks set to start the Sprint race from the top 10. His fastest time of Q2 was enough for second place and, due to rain falling during the red flag stoppage, no one was able to usurp him.

Despite making Q3, he will not take part in the final phase of qualifying.