RALF CRASHES AND BURNS IN MONZA

[Jabba]

Tuesday 2nd September 2003

Formula One world title contender Ralf Schumacher was taken to hospital on Tuesday after crashing his Williams heavily in testing at Monza.

The accident came just a matter of hours after the German had escaped unharmed when his car caught fire in the pit lane.

"He's okay but he's been taken to hospital for further checks," said a team spokeswoman. "He's walking and the engineers are saying he is okay and everything."

Schumacher went off the track at the Lesmo corner about two minutes before the close of the session and witnesses said his car was badly damaged.

Ralf is fourth in the championship with three races to go, 14 points behind leader Michael Schumacher. Williams lead Ferrari in the constructors' championship by eight points.

Earlier, marshals hurried to extinguish flames after an apparent oil leak flared up when the German came in after his first few laps.

"It was nothing major, it looked worse than it was," said the spokeswoman.

All the Formula One teams are testing at Monza, the venue for next week's Italian Grand Prix.

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