Allan McNish was fortunate to escape apparently unhurt from a massive single-car accident which saw his Toyota clear the barrier and cause qualifying for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix to be halted.  The Scot lost control of his car at the exit of the dauntingly fast 130R corner, spinning backwards through 180 degrees before taking off over a bump and hitting the barrier hard enough to break it, landing on the other side.

The rear crash structure of the car appeared to smash the barrier completely, just missing a tyre-wall.  The accident occurred near a marshals post and help was soon on hand, but McNish got out of the car unaided and was taken to the circuit medical centre by Prof Sid Watkins, the FIA's senior medical advisor.

The accident took place after 35 minutes of the session when McNish was on his second run.

Michael Schumacher held provisional pole position at the time witha remarkable opening lap of 1.31.825 which saw him a full eight tenths of a second quicker than his nearest rival, team mate Rubens Barrichello.  DHL Jordan Honda drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato were 10th and 12th after all the drivers had completed one run.