Ralf Schumacher involved in major crash at Monza

By Andrew Hooper
September 4 2003


	Ralf suffers heavy crash

	For BMW WilliamsF1 driver Ralf Schumacher the opening day of testing at Monza would see him suffer a major accident that would see him taken to hospital for precautionary checks. Ralf was to crash at the second Lesmo corner. Despite his car been badly damaged Ralf was able to get out of his car uninjured. A spokeswoman from the WilliamsF1 team was to say: "He had a crash at the Lesmo corner. He is OK - he's talking, laughing, everything. "The car lost the front and the back wing, but we're still checking what caused the accident. Ralf was taken to hospital just for checks, to make sure he is ok. There no injuries." The WilliamsF1 team announced that they are investigating the cause of the accident. The team has dismissed any possibility of Ralf making a mistake. Ralf spoke after the accident saying: "I still have a little bit of a headache. I am not quite 100 per cent, but I am just glad the effects were not any worse. Schumacher has already flown home to recuperate in Salzburg, Austria, with doctors advising him to rest at least until Monday even though he sustained no broken bones. Ralf is expected to be fit for the Italian Grand Prix, but for the rest of the Monza test his driving duties will be carried out by Marc Gene. A spokesman for the team added: "We will have another chassis at the test today and Marc Gene will step in to run that. Juan and Marc will complete the programme."