Canadian Nicholas Latifi was involved in a horrendous accident Sunday with current Manor Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi, during race 1 of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.

After taking the checkered flag and crossing the finish line in fourth position, Merhi, who is currently driving with the Pons Racing team in the Renault 3.5 series, slowed up considerably. Fifth placed Latifi, who had qualified eighth for race 1 of a double race weekend, was still fighting to the checkered flag with French driver Tom Dillmann, when Latifi slammed into the rear of the Spaniard at speed, sending the Canadian rookie spiraling through the air. Both cars sustained heavy damage.

Both drivers were un-injured in the crash, but Merhi, who was the cause of the incident, was excluded from race 1, moving Latifi up to fourth place. In addition, Merhi was also excluded from race 2 for triggering the violent accident.

Merhi who would have been starting on the front row for race 2, came under heavy criticism from rival teams and drivers. During the pre-race drivers meeting, racers were warned not to slow down too much after taking the checkered flag, but wait till they had come to turn 1 to reduce speed.

Dillmann took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the Spanish drivers actions.

“He stopped on the grid to lay rubber down for race 2, that’s what he did,” claimed Dillmann, who was pushing for the F1 driver to be penalized. “He shouldn’t be allowed to start.” 

The Arden Motorsport team worked feverishly to put the Canadians race car back together for race 2. Latifi, who qualified ninth for race two, only managed one lap before retiring.

Formula Renault 3.5 series is an open-wheel, formula car racing series that is held across Europe. It’s a feeder series into Formula 1, and has produced drivers like former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, Giedo Van Der Garde, as well as McLaren Honda test driver Kevin Magnussen, and Canadian, Mercedes DTM standout Robert Wickens.

Latifi sits 11TH in the drivers’ championship standings.