Hamilton crashes in qualifying, taken to hospital

Nuerburgring: Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton crashed in qualifying on Saturday for the European Grand Prix and was taken by ambulance from the track.

Hamilton waved and gave a thumbs-up sign as he was being taken on a stretcher into the ambulance. Officials said he was conscious and speaking and would be taken to the circuit's medical center.

The Englishman lost either a piece from the right-front wheel of his McLaren or his tire was punctured, resulting in his car sliding across the gravel at the side of the track to hit the wall hard.

The qualifying session was stopped with 5:31 minutes remaining.