WATCH: Sainz brings out red flags at Monza with big crash in FP2

Carlos Sainz brought out the red flags midway through second practice at Monza after a big crash at the Ascari chicane.

The Ferrari driver lost the back end of the car as he accelerated out of the second part of the corner and speared left into the barriers in what was a heavy impact.

"That hurt a bit, but I'm OK," he said after the damaged SF21 came to a halt back on track, as the red flags were thrown to stop the other cars running while the Medical Car arrived to collect Sainz, and the marshals began removing his car.

It's Sainz's third major crash in four race meetings after shunts in qualifying at Hungary, and in final practice last weekend at Zandvoort.

Sainz was seventh in qualifying on Friday evening – one place ahead of team mate Charles Leclerc – and will start in that position in the F1 Sprint later this afternoon, assuming Ferrari can get his car repaired in time.

The team are permitted to change any damaged parts for like-for-like replacements, and if he is forced to change any key parts like the gearbox which would incur a grid penalty, that would be served in Sunday's Grand Prix, rather than the Sprint event.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the F1 Sprint format as it returns this weekend at Monza