Saturday October 12th, 2002

Briton Allan McNish was lucky to escape unhurt from a crash that destroyed the rear of his Toyota and halted qualifying for the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix, according to FIA president Max Mosley.

The Scot was shocked but unscathed after his out-of-control car smashed through the metal crash barriers at the exit to the 130R curve and into an earth bank near marshals.

McNish, preparing for his last race with Formula One newcomers Toyota and possibly the last Grand Prix of his career, lost control when the car veered wildly from side to side before bouncing backwards across the gravel. It split the barrier but landed upright.

After being helped out of the car, McNish squatted and then lay on the bank before waving to the crowd.

"It was a very worrying accident," said Mosley in the Suzuka paddock. "When you have a really big one like that you need to be lucky as well as having a really strong car. Luckily he walked away."

Formula One's chief medical officer Sid Watkins said the barriers had carried the brunt of the impact and McNish would be cleared to take part in Sunday's warm-up for the race. The crash barrier was extensively damaged and the session was only restarted after more than an hour.

Published at 07:21:37 GMT