Formula 1 world champions Ferrari will run unbranded cars during the Italian Grand Prix this weekend as a mark of respect to those who were killed in the terrorist attacks on America earlier this week. The cars of the newly-crowned world champion, Michael Schumacher, and his team-mate Ruben Barrichello will be devoid of sponsors' logos when practice gets underway at Monza today.
A statement from the Formula 1 team revealed: "Ferrari has taken the decision to show it shares a sense of grief with the American people, with whom it has always felt close ties. Therefore, this weekend, for the Italian Grand Prix, with the full agreement of its sponsors, as a mark of respect, its cars will carry no logos relating to its commercial and technical partners."
Although the organisers at Monza are doing everything they can to facilitate the teams and drivers who wish to participate in the Day of Mourning taking place across Europe and in the US by bringing forward this morning's practice session by 10 minutes so that they can take part in a minute's silence at noon Italian time.
However, Ralf Schumacher, younger brother of Michael, has criticised the Italian Grand Prix chiefs for deciding that the event should go ahead this weekend despite the atrocities in America and furthermore is concerned over the decision taken by F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone that the United States Grand Prix scheduled for a fortnight on Sunday should also go ahead.
"It is a bad joke intending to go to the United States and racing there," said the 26-year-old. "I do not think it is safe and I, for sure, will not be taking my family and friends. We are just 22 drivers but we also have to think about the 200,000 spectators. Bernie Ecclestone is recommending us to race there and I will be anxious to see if he turns up. If it was down to me I would not have been here. I don't think there should be big public events while they do not know who was responsible for the attacks."
Schumacher's concerns have been echoed by other drivers and team members especially as several teams have sponsors who had offices in the World Trade Centre and have lost many of their personnel in the attack. However, the decision was made yesterday in Monza that the final three races of the season would go ahead.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
