Vettel crashes his Ferrari while Sainz goes fastest in testing

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Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel crashed his Ferrari on the second day of Formula One's final pre-season test in Spain on Wednesday while Carlos Sainz went fastest for McLaren.

The German's car was covered up and towed away after the accident which delayed the session by 45 minutes.

Vettel was unhurt but went to the medical center for routine checks.

Vettel admitted he had no idea why his Ferrari left the track and crashed into the barriers at a speed of around 240 kilometers per hour.

"There was a problem with the accelerator. I didn't have control of the car anymore, so we are trying to understand what happened. It's not ideal."

He added, "after the impact, there was a lot of damage that we must repair."

Ferrari said Vettel's sudden accident at turn three was caused by a mechanical problem with the front left.

Sebastian Vettel is taken to a medical center after his crash during the Formula 1 2019 Pre-Season Tests at Circuit de Barcelona, February 27. /VCG Photo

Despite the crash, Vettel still managed the third fastest time of the day of 1min 18.195sec from his 40 laps.

Carlos Sainz, in a McLaren, was fastest, timing 1:17.166 off 130 laps with Mexico's Sergio Perez third fastest for Racing Point in 1:17.962 having completed 88 laps.

Meanwhile, Mercedes were again towards the bottom of the timesheets with Valtteri Bottas eighth and five times world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton ninth.

The season starts in Australia on March 17.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

(Top photo: Sebastian Vettel's car towed off the track after a crash. /VCG Photo)