Tiago Monteiro failed to finish two consecutive races for the first time in his F1 career when a mechanical problem resulted in him exiting the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours in a spectacular way.

A disappointing start saw him fall behind Franck Montagny over the first few laps but coming up to the high-speed Nurburgring chicane, a mechanical problem pitched Monteiro into a spin, clipping the kerb and throwing the front of his MF1 into the air.

Although he landed back on four wheels, the heavy impact prevented the Portuguese driver from continuing, ending what has been a disappointing weekend for him.

"It's been a tough, tough weekend, to say the least," he said. "I've been fighting to find the right set-up for my car, and although we tried everything, it was one of those weekends where we just couldn't get the balance right.