Lewis Hamilton crashes out of final practice as Mercedes race to fix car for qualifying

Lewis Hamilton has crashed out of final practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The championship leader lost control of his Mercedes at high speed before slamming into the barriers.

"I am in the wall, guys," said Hamilton over the team radio. "Sorry."

Hamilton emerged from his cockpit unscathed, but suffered extensive damage to the front of his Mercedes.

His mechanics will now face a race against time to get his car ready for qualifying this afternoon.