SEPTEMBER 16, 2001

Drivers want no overtaking on first lap at Monza

The Formula 1 drivers, clearly rattled by the events in the world in recent days and Alex Zanardi's accident at the Lausitzring, are arguing that there should be no overtaking at the first two chicanes at Monza on Sunday afternoon.

THE Formula 1 drivers, clearly rattled by the events in the world in recent days and Alex Zanardi's accident at the Lausitzring, are arguing that there should be no overtaking at the first two chicanes at Monza on Sunday afternoon. It should be remembered that there was a fatal accident involving a marshal at the second chicane at Monza at the start last year.

"It's been a weekend where everything is obviously not right. After the things that have happened this week in the United States and with Zanardi in hospital badly hurt you have to question if we should be racing. We had a meeting and we decided that after the start there should be no overtaking in the first two chicanes. One driver has not agreed."

There some lively discussions on the back of the display truck during the driver's parade lap on Sunday morning after which Michael Schumacher said that one "small" driver had not agreed.

It was not immediately clear which driver he was talking about but usually when there are such ideas Jacques Villeneuve does not follow the crowd. However Schumacher and Juan-Pablo Montoya were seen to be arguing in a spirited fashion.