MUST-SEE: Alonso brings out the red flags with heavy crash in FP3 at Imola

Fernando Alonso brought out the first of two red flags during final practice for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, dramatically losing control of his Aston Martin and slamming into the barriers.

Alonso was pushing through the final double left-hander at Rivazza when the rear of his updated AMR24 stepped away, sending him across the gravel and into the wall lining the track at high speed.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from final practice for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

While Alonso walked away from the crash and was cleared during a visit to the Medical Centre, his car sustained significant damage and means his mechanics now have plenty of work to do ahead of qualifying.

Another red flag was flown in the closing stages of the session when Sergio Perez – attempting to improve on the soft tyres – crashed his Red Bull at the Variante Alta chicane.

Watch the drama as it unfolded in the video player above.