Hartley: I’m a bit sore. It was a big hit

After being released from the Circuit de Catalunya medical centre, Hartley told reporters, “I’m a bit sore. It was a big hit. I can feel it in the neck and head a little bit. It was a big impact - but everyone is working hard to get the car fixed for tomorrow. I’ll be fine, and physically fit the drive the car."

The impact was indeed massive as the car split in two, the engine split from the chassis when it was being recovered with a crane.

Hartley explained, "I think there is no chassis damage which is important. Most of the other parts are replaceable, I don’t know what it means going forward in terms of news parts introduced to the car. But I think they should have no problems getting it fixed in time."

He replayed the incident, "It happens in slow motion. It felt like the car was slowing down, but I was heading backwards towards the wall. So you don’t really know when the impact is going to come."

"I’m not looking in my mirror to know exactly when the impact was going to come. You brace yourself a bit, but it’s never a lot of fun."

But in the end, Hartley admitted, "I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t get a crack in qualifying because the car felt good this morning. I was quite happy with the balance but we will have to see what we can do from the back.

"I know Toro Rosso started from last position last year at this track and scored points so that has to be the goal," added the double WEC world champion.