In Pics: Fernando Alonso suffers huge crash, flies over other car at Belgium GP

Fernando Alonso was fortunate to emerge unscathed from a huge crash at the start of the Belgian GP. (Image: AFP)

Alonso was pitched into the rear of Charles Leclerc's Sauber after being hit by Renault's Nico Hulkenberg. (Image: AFP)

The crash propelled Alonso's McLaren airborne. (Image: Reuters)

The force of the collision wrecked the McLaren and sent the Spaniard's car flying over the Sauber. (Image: Reuters)

Alonso's car skimmed over Leclerc's head, appearing to make contact with the halo system that was made mandatory at the start of the season to protect the drivers from such glancing blows. (Image: Reuters)

Nobody was hurt in the incident (Image: Reuters)

The accident brought out the safety car for four laps. (Image: Reuters)

Nico Hulkenberg was handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Italian GP after causing Fernando Alonso's spectacular airborne accident at Spa. (Image: Reuters)

Alonso, who was also sent over another car in a similar incident at Spa involving Romain Grosjean in 2012, said Hulkenberg had made a "big mistake". (Image: Reuters)

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel sped away from first corner carnage to celebrate a commanding Belgian Grand Prix victory.(Image: Reuters)

Hamilton, last year's winner in Belgium, started from pole position but finished second for Mercedes while Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave his army of Dutch fans something to cheer with third place. (Image: Reuters)

Sebastian Vettel trimmed Lewis Hamilton's Formula One lead to 17 points with eight races remaining. In the battle of four times world champions, Hamilton now has 231 points to Vettel's 214. (Image: Reuters)