It looks like Sainz's rears locked as he touched the brakes and there was nothing he could do to prevent him skating off the circuit.

"I don't know why I lost the car in the braking," he says over team radio before clambering out of his car.

Red flagpublished at 09:27 British Summer Time 4 September 2015

09:27 BST 4 September 2015

Red flag as Carlos Sainz slides off heading into the final corner and his Toro Rosso is beached into the gravel.

Image source, Giorgio Piola

Allan McNish has discussed in depth the issue of driver safety in the cockpit in his latest column. Have a read of his thoughts on the subject here.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“The driver line-ups of two teams have pretty much fallen into place ahead of this weekend. Force India have re-signed Nico Hulkenberg for 2016 and 2017, and Williams unsurprisingly confirmed on Thursday that Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa were staying next year, as they were always going to once Ferrari went cold on the idea of buying out Bottas’s contract. It seems, too, that it’s only a matter of time before Sergio Perez is also inked in as Hulkenberg’s team-mate for a third season next year.

“‘For me, I think the news is coming quite soon,’ the Mexican said. ‘I have a contract with the team, so as you know I have a group of sponsors and we are trying to make the announcement altogether so in that respect it is all clear. We are getting to the point where very soon things should be announced, so I expect to announce my plans hopefully before the next race.’”

Image source, afp

Thirteen drivers have clocked timed laps now, Felipe Massa one of them with the sixth fastest time.

Plenty of times on the board now with Pastor Maldonado the new name in P1, popping in a 1:28.330 lap.

It is only a brief stay at the top, though, as Lewis Hamilton takes over with a 1:27.616.

Image source, Getty Images

Driver safety has been a big topic of discussion in recent weeks after IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died from head injuries in a crash in August.

The FIA said recently that they plan to test two new designs later this month, while F1 drivers on Thursday said they are open to the idea of closed cockpits.

"If one closed cockpit saves one life, it is worth doing it," said Fernando Alonso, while Lewis Hamilton added: "I see closed cockpits as potentially the future. We've had too many fatalities."

We are 15 minutes into this session and there's not too many cars out on track, with drivers having been out for an initial recce and then returning to their respective garages. 

Max Verstappen is out there though and he puts our first time on the board with a 1:30.315.

Dennis Boxem:  "Not Awkward for me but for Eddie. I spent an evening talking drums with Eddie Jordan a few years ago. Awkward part was that Eddie was supposed to be at a FIA Event. Lovely guy though! And yes he wears those shirts on his off days too."

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"McLaren's Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will start from the back at Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after the latest in a series of engine penalties.

"Both drivers will have new Honda engines fitted for the race, triggering a 10-place penalty for Alonso and a five-place drop for Button at Monza.

"The car's lack of pace means they are likely to drop to the back of the grid. Alonso and Button were hit with a record penalty of a total of 105 grid positions at the last race in Belgium."

"Man is a child, his power is the power to grow," Fernando Alonso wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

I don't know what that means, but it sounds profound.

Big smile on Alonso's face here, but it looks like it is going to be another tough weekend for McLaren.

Jolyon Palmer, as per usual for FP1, is out in the Lotus this morning, standing in for Romain Grosjean, who scored a wonderful podium in Belgium.

With this being his first Italian Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver, Sebastian Vettel says he is keen to adopt Monza as his home race.

The German also says he is excited about experiencing something new this weekend.

"I'm looking forward to not being booed," he said on Thursday.

He's loving it already, waving to the crowd as he whizzes by the stands.

Ferrari have splashed a few development tokens on upgrading their engine for their home race. 

Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has warned not to expect too dramatic an improvement, but says it is important for the team to be "competitive" in Monza and "thus to increase the power and torque of the engine".

Sebastian Vettel is out with some luminous paint on the rear wing of his Ferrari.

The green light goes on and away we go. Sebastian Vettel immediately gives the home fans something to cheer about when he takes his Ferrari onto the circuit.

Lewis talks about his new hair colour in his latest BBC Sport column, writing: "I was at the hairdresser and I just thought: 'I'm going to try it, let's do it.' Zero cares."

He also gives a fascinating insight into his life away from the circuit. As ever, well worth a read and you can do just that by clicking here.

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton revealed his latest look this week and, as a blond myself, I reckon it is a good choice.

They say blonds have more fun and Hamilton will certainly be hoping that will be the case this weekend.

On a similar subject, have you ever found yourself engaging in awkward small talk with an F1 personality? 

Ever beaten Christian Horner to the last pack of oranges in a supermarket? Bumped into a current or former driver while on holiday?

Let us know when you have briefly into someone from the world of F1 in an everyday situation, and what you said, via #bbcf1, external or text in on 81111 (UK only)

Fans have been handing over presents to Nico Rosberg following his new arrival. Always think the small talk in these situations must be pretty awkward. What do you say?

"Nice one for having a baby, Nico, by the way could you sign this picture of your face?"