Ralf Schumacher to miss Italian GP

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team today confirmed that Ralf Schumacher will not take part in the forthcoming Monza test, and as a consequence, the Italian Grand Prix on September 12, 2004. Ralf's recuperation continues well, and the German driver is expected to test after the Italian Grand Prix.

Ralf's position in Italy will again be filled by Antonio Pizzonia, who performed strongly at the Belgian Grand Prix before being denied a podium finish by a mechanical failure.

It was later revealed that another factor as to why Ralf could not test at Monza was not the condition of his injury but it was related to an insurance issue.

Johannes Peil, head of the Sportklinik private hospital, said to Gazzetta dello Sport: "If Ralf Schumacher doesn't race, it's not because of his health condition, but because other problems have come up. Not medical, but insurance-related. I can't say more than that."

On Ralf's web site Frank Williams was quoted as saying: "I will let Ralf back in the car only when the doctors and the insurance company will give me the all-clear.

"Unless Ralf signs a statement where, in the case of an accident, he renounces any kind of demands. I don't want, in the case of another accident with one of my cars, that Ralf ends up on a wheelchair like me."