A statement from the Honda WTCC team said the incident happened at the first corner of the Spanish Grand Prix venue's on Wednesday.

"Tiago was extracted from the car and – following an assessment at the circuit medical centre – was taken, fully conscious and without any broken bones, to a local hospital, where he remains under observation," the statement said.

"An MRI scan, conducted today (Friday, September 8), detected no injuries, but as a precaution he has been advised to remain in hospital for the weekend to begin his recuperation.

"He will be reassessed on Monday, after which a transfer to a facility in Portugal will be discussed."

Honda expects Monteiro to "return to full fitness" before the WTCC resumes after its mid-season break at the new Ningbo track in China on October 14-15.

Monteiro currently leads the WTCC standings by 12 points over Volvo driver Thed Bjork.