Pedro Escapes Serious Injury.

Pedro Diniz returned to his Monaco apartment yesterday, just hours after enduring one of the most frightening accidents of the season.


The Brazilian's Sauber flipped over following a collision with the Benetton of Alex Wurz and, having broken its rollhoop in contact with the road, landed upside down on the grass bordering turn two at the Nurburgring. Despite fears for the driver's safety, Diniz was seen to be moving inside the cockpit, and was later removed by trackside marshals and medical officials.


A preliminary check-up at the circuit's medical centre pronounced the Brazilian to be suffering nothing but bruising, and this diagnosis was later confirmed by a hospital in nearby Cologne. Diniz flew back to Monaco following the second examination, and expects to be back behind the wheel next month.


"Yesterday, I was really motivated when I started the race," he said, "but, unfortunately, it was finished very soon. I must give many thanks to the extrication team, they did a really good job and, apart from bruising my shoulder and knee, I have no injuries.


"I think, that I will do the Barcelona test next week at the 6th and 7th October, but that depends on a further medical examination."