MARCH 5, 2001

BAR-Honda chassis impounded

IN the aftermath of the fatal accident which took place during the Australian GP in Melbourne on Sunday, British American Racing will need to rush to build up a new car for the Malaysian Grand Prix as the chassis which was involved in the crash has been impounded by the Australian police as evidence in the inquiry which will be carried out by the Victorian Police Major Collision Unit which will prepare a report for the Melbourne coroner.

IN the aftermath of the fatal accident which took place during the Australian GP in Melbourne on Sunday, British American Racing will need to rush to build up a new car for the Malaysian Grand Prix as the chassis which was involved in the crash has been impounded by the Australian police as evidence in the inquiry which will be carried out by the Victorian Police Major Collision Unit which will prepare a report for the Melbourne coroner. The coroner will then rule on whether or not there is any need for further action.

The accident has already been ruled to have been "a racing incident" by the three stewards of the meeting. It is worth noting that the trio is headed by Irish lawyer Bryan Brophy, who was chief steward at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza last September where there was a similar incident which led to the death of fire marshal Paolo Ghislimberti.

BAR says that the impounding of the chassis is really irrelevant as the chassis was, not surprisingly, damaged beyond repair in the accident. The team says that it has a fourth chassis already built so that the team should not disrupted two much in Malaysia.

Jacques Villeneuve, who went to hospital after the crash, complaining of back pains, is expected to be fit in Malaysia although after such a major accident he may still be a little battered and bruised.