Sunday September 2nd, 2001

Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer could step in to replace Brazilian Luciano Burti at the Italian Grand Prix should the Prost driver not be recovered from his accident at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Burti crashed at more than 240 km/h at the Spa Francorchamps circuit while he was trying to overtake Jaguar's Eddie Irvine. The Prost car lost its front wing after clipping the rear of Irvine's Jaguar and went off the track, hitting the tyre barriers at the Blanchimont corner.

Burti was immediately taken to a hospital in Liege, where initial scan showed head injuries but no swelling of the 26-year-old's brain. Another scan is scheduled for Monday and he was being kept under observation overnight.

According to reports in the Italian press, Burti will be replaced by Badoer in case he is not ready for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in two weeks time. It is also speculated that the 30-year old could race in all three remaining races of the season for the Prost team.

Badoer has competed in 56 Grands Prix and he last participated in a race at the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix, where he raced for the Minardi team.

Published at 23:03:22 GMT

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