Ericsson set to race in Italy after big crash

MARCUS Ericsson will take part in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix only 24 hours after surviving one of the biggest crashes in recent Formula One history.

Just five days after Charles Leclerc emerged unscathed from a terrifying openingcorner accident in Belgium, the sport held its breath once more as Ericsson lost control of his Sauber at 220mph in practice.

As Ericsson attempted to stop for the opening corner at the fastest circuit on the calendar in Monza, he dramatically veered left and into the barrier.

The force of the impact registered in excess of 20G – seven times the maximum force of a launching space shuttle – and sent his car spiralling out of control.

He smashed through two polystyrene brake boards at the side of the track, and somersaulted in the air three times as his car disintegrated into pieces across the tarmac.

Incredibly, the Swedish driver landed the right way up, and moments later he was on the radio to confirm he was unharmed.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I’m OK.”

The 27-year-old was aided by safety officials into the medical car, and an ensuing examination by doctors provided him with the all-clear to race for the remainder of the weekend.

Ericsson’s crash caused the second track running at Monza to be postponed for 20 minutes before Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen completed a Ferrari one-two.

Lewis Hamilton, who holds a 17-point lead over Vettel, finished third, 0.287 seconds slower than his title rival.