Michael Schumacher escaped unhurt after a heavy crash in testing at Monza on Thursday, days after the Ferrari driver won an unprecedented seventh Formula One title.

The German's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said Schumacher spun and hit the barriers while approaching one of the fastest parts of the track at around 300 kph.

"Something happened to the left rear tyre, we don't know what yet, on the start/finish straight," she said after the accident in the late afternoon. "The car spun and hit the wall with the rear. Michael got out and lay down on the grass as a precaution."

Despite the obviously heavy impact, Schumacher did not go to the medical centre but flew back to his home in Switzerland after the session ended.

He had been due to complete testing before next week's Italian Grand Prix on Thursday evening.

Schumacher clinched his seventh championship in Belgium last weekend with four races to spare after he finished second in that race.

Monza will be a triumphant homecoming for Ferrari after the Italian team also secured the constructors' title in Hungary last month.