SEPTEMBER 18, 2000

Fallout from Monza

THE Italian authorities are continuing their investigation into the accident at Monza which claimed the life of fire marshal PaoloÊGislimberti. The investigating magistrate Dr. Salvatore Bellomo examined all five cars involved in the accident and then released them back to the teams involved. Bellomo will now write a report on the accident and it will then be decided whether further action will be taken.

At the same time the international automobile federation has asked the CSAI, the Italian national sporting authority, for a full report into the accident.

The Formula 1 teams have raised $150,000 for Gislimberti's widow Elena, who is eight months pregnant. Each team donated $10,000 and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone added another $40,000 to the fund.

Gislimberti's funeral took place on Thursday in the village of Lavis, just to the north of Trento. His coffin was wrapped in a Ferrari flag and the Maranello team was represented by team manager Stefano Domenicali, press officer Claudio Berro and test driver Luca Badoer. Rubens Barrichello, who was involved in the accident which led to Gislimberti's death, sent a wreath, as did Ecclestone, the FIA, Williams, Benetton and Arrows. There was also a wreath from the Grand Prix Drivers Association.

Both Jordan drivers Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who were also involved in the crash, were present at the funeral as was Minardi's Gaston Mazzacane.