Saved by Halo: Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson walks away unharmed after spectacular crash at Monza

Sauber is not having a great time since past couple of weekends. Last week, Charles Leclerc couldn't finish his race at Belgian GP after the massive clash with McLaren's Fernando Alonso. This time it was his teammate Marcus Ericsson. (Reuters)

Everything was fine for Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson during the first practice session at Monza Italy. The rains slowed down everyone and Ericsson ended up at P16 with the time of 1:37.790 (AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)

Television footage showed the car suddenly spearing left at speed as he applied the brakes at the first chicane moments after the afternoon session had started.

The car flipped three or four times before coming to rest on the grass the right way up. Replays suggested that the car's drag reduction system (DRS) -- a flap that opens and closes on the rear wing -- had failed. (Reuters)

DRS OPEN!

The reason for Ericsson's big shunt#ItalianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/w0GjPDf4xr

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 31, 2018

The Swede's car wrecked after hitting the barriers and barrel-rolling multiple times. It looked like it was made of nothing but styrofoam. (YouTube Screenshot)

Much fuss was made about the HALO guards fixed atop the F1 cars before the 2017 season. But looking at these Sauber crashes back to back, the decision to bring in this driver security measure was a great idea! (YouTube Screenshot)

"I don't know what happened there," Ericsson said over the radio before stepping out of the car. Whatever was left of the car was brought back to the Sauber pits. (Reuters)

Ericsson went to the medical centre for precautionary checks while the session was suspended for marshals to clear the debris. The Swede gave a thumbs-up signal on his return to the pit lane and the session resumed after a 20-minute stoppage. (AFP)