Salo unhurt after smash

Salo in action during Toyota's previous testing session

Finn Mika Salo escaped injury after crashing his Toyota Formula One car at 220 kilometres per hour during testing in France on Sunday.

Salo was testing Toyota's new F1 car at the company's "home" Paul Ricard circuit near Marseille when he hit a wall after braking at the end of the Mistral straight.

Toyota said Salo left the car unaided and was taken by helicopter to hospital for a full check-up.

"Mika has no injuries, just some back pain and I recommended he take some rest before continuing with testing," said team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli.

Salo will return to Finland to rest for a few days but there will be more x-rays - on the car.

Toyota said it would x-ray the carbon fibre gearbox components which failed, causing the crash, at the company's headquarters in Cologne, Germany.

The company plans to make its Formula One debut in 2002.