FEBRUARY 8, 2002

Another testing accident

DAVID COULTHARD became the latest driver this week to suffer a major testing accident when he lost control of his McLaren MP4/17 in Barcelona. Coulthard went off in the first corner of the Circuit de Catalunya into the gravel trap, when the car dug in, sending it and the Scott flipping into the air. Fortunately, the car held up well, and Coulthard walked away unharmed.

There is speculation that the accident was caused by the left rear tire of Coulthard's McLaren suddenly deflating, causing him to lose control, but the team is investigating.

Coulthard's accident follows significant crashes in Valencia Thursday by Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa, and accidents by Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello last Thursday.

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