A judicial inquiry into the death of a fire marshal during yesterday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza could be concluded as early as today. Formula One was left in shock after Paolo Ghislimberti, a 30-year-old from Trento, was killed following an accident involving five cars at the second chicane. Ghislimberti died in the First Aid room at Monza Hospital as a result of the serious injuries he suffered at the track. Either a tyre or the nose of Pedro de la Rosa's cartwheeling Arrows is understood to have struck Ghislimberti, who sustained what was described as serious head and chest trauma.
Ghislimberti was initially treated at trackside before being taken to hospital where doctors were unable to save his life. An official statement added that the FIA (motorsport's governing body) has requested a full report on this extremely sad incident from the Italian Sports Authority. The five cars involved in the accident - which also included David Coulthard's McLaren, the Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello and the Jordan cars of Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Jarno Trulli - were immediately impounded by Italian police. Under Italian law, any death or serious injury in motor racing leads to a judicial inquiry, conducted by a local prosecuting magistrate, on this occasion Dr Salvatore Bellomo.
Meanwhile, Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt magnanimously dedicated Michael Schumacher's highly-emotional victory at this tragic Grand Prix to Mr Ghislimberti. The 31-year-old had sent his team and the 100,000-plus fans wild with delight as he took the chequered flag to close the gap in the drivers' championship to two points on Mika Hakkinen, who had to settle for second.
Todt said: "The result has been saddened by the death of a track official. He was one of a group of people without whom there would be no motor racing. I dedicate this victory to them." Schumacher also paid tribute when he was finally told the news, adding: "I am very sad to hear about the death of a track official. Under these circumstances what happened in the race has only a secondary importance." (PA)
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
