SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

Firman to miss the Italian GP?

Ralph Firman is to miss the Monza F1 test this week but hopes to be fit in time for the Italian Grand Prix in 10 days. The team says that it hopes that Firman will be fit for the race at Monza but with Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner having a large budget available it is always possible that Firman's recovery will be delayed...

Baumgartner is expected to test alongside Giancarlo Fisichella this week and will run on Friday morning at the Italian GP, elbowing Swedish rising star Bjorn Wirdheim out of the way.

Firman is still struggling with a badly bruised left ankle but says that he hopes to be back at Monza.