Lucas di Grassi's chances of retaining his seat at Vꦅirgin Racing took a major hit - quite literally - as he piled into the barriers on the way to the grid at Suzuka.

Although the Brazilian rookie was able to walk away from the shattered VR-01, the impact was sufficient to rule him out of any further participation in an already unusual weekend. di Grassi was due to have ♛started from 21st on the grid, one spot ahead of Virgin team-mate Timo Glock.

It is unclear exactly why di Grassi went off w♈here he did, for the Suzuka track was largely dry following Saturday'﷽s downpour. Morning qualifying had passed off without incident, but it appeared that the former GP2 frontrunner caught a patch of moisture, possibly on the outside kerb, which caused him to lose control exiting the 130R.