Carlos Sainz Jr conscious after crash in Russian Grand Prix practice

The 21-year-old Spaniard was taken to hospital in Sochi after smashing into barriers at Turn 13, approached at 200mph, but was released on Saturday.

The son of former double world rally champion Carlos Sainz Snr will stay in his hotel overnight and is expected to be given the green light by doctors to race today. A bit of a sore neck and back, but with a bit of rest I’m going to try to race.

Sainz, 21, was attended to by medical staff at the scene of the crash.

“Following this examination the driver has been declared fit to race in today’s Russian Grand Prix”.

Carlos Sainz gave a thumbs-up sign to cameras to indicate he was conscious after surviving a high speed crash that ended Saturday morning’s third and final free practice session for Sunday’s Formula One Russian Grand Prix. “Already thinking how to convince The doctors to Be on the grid for tomorrow!” he wrote.

“In every moment after the accident I’ve been conscious, trying to speak with the team on the radio but it was not working”.

“It was shocking to see that he was so deep in the barrier and that he was covered in the barrier”, said Vettel, who is one of the senior members of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

The Spanish driver was involved in a head-on collision with the barriers at Turn 13, with his auto burying itself in the Tecpro barriers, which are created to take the force of an accident.

When asked about the details of Carlos Sainz, Vettel said that it is important to know Carlos is very well and good and that it would be great to witness him participating in the event.

Hamilton, 48 points clear of Rosberg in the championship standings, was second quickest with Valtteri Bottas a fine third for Williams. They will see if he can continue the race weekend.

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said: “As I am informed, he is conscious”.

The vehicle glanced along the wall, leaving a series of tyre marks, before spearing straight across the run-off area and into the barriers.

“The impact was quite heavy, but he was checked in the hospital and they could not find anything”.

He and team-mate and fellow rookie Max Verstappen have both impressed observers with their speed and maturity despite their youth and limited experience.