Hamilton unhurt in huge practice crash

(GMM) Lewis Hamilton emerged unhurt from a high speed crash during afternoon practice for the Bahrain grand prix on Friday.

The 23-year-old McLaren driver and championship leader lost control of his MP4-23 under acceleration out of turn seven, hitting the barriers at an estimated 200kph.

The impact smashed the right side of his single seater, and he returned to the Sakhir pitlane on the back of a recovery motorcycle. It was the only major incident of the three hours of free practice today.

Also towards the end of the final ninety minute practice session for the day, Fernando Alonso collided with Force India's Adrian Sutil, causing the pair to spin.

The Spaniard seemed to lock the rear wheels of his Renault, causing him to misjudge an overtaking maneuver on his German rival.

Hamilton finished the session in fourth place, behind his McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen, but the pair both trailed Ferrari's Felipe Massa – who was also fastest in the morning – and Kimi Raikkonen.