Spaniard Fernando Alonso wrecked his Minardi and Italian Jarno Trulli damaged his Jordan in today’s warm-up for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Alonso swerved left and spun into the barriers exiting the Stavelot corner into Blanchimont, ripping the right wheels off. He then rebounded across the track as the half-hour session ended.
The promising 20-year-old, in his first Formula One season, scrambled to safety while a marshal doused his smouldering Minardi with an extinguisher.
A team spokesman said Alonso, whose team are regular tail-enders and have scored just one point in five years, had gone to the medical centre afterwards to be checked over and would start in the spare car.
Trulli had earlier ripped off his front wing after bouncing across the grass and into the gravel.
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, chasing a record 52nd career victory at his favourite track, was fastest in the last session before the race in a time of one minute 49.495 seconds.
Finland's Mika Hakkinen was second fastest for McLaren ahead of compatriot Kimi Raikkonen in a Sauber.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya starts on pole for Williams, ahead of team mate Ralf Schumacher. Michael Schumacher is on the second row.