By GMM

Giancarlo Fisichella was taken to hospital on Wednesday following a high speed crash during pre-British grand prix testing at the Silverstone circuit.

The Force India driver, testing the locally based team's upgrades for the 2008 car, ran wide in the high speed Becketts complex just before lunch in the gusting Northamptonshire winds.

His VJM01 "suffered extensive damage" in the hit against the barriers and could not be repaired in time to run again, a statement issued by the team said.

Fisichella, one of the most experienced race drivers in formula one, was not injured but he was taken to hospital for precautionary checks, Force India also confirmed.

"Unfortunately some of the new components were damaged," technical boss Mike Gascoyne said.

Fisichella added: "I wasn't hurt at all, but I did not take my hands off the wheel and they had to do some checks to make sure my wrist was ok."

The three day Silverstone test concludes on Thursday.