Heidfeld to sit out Italian Grand Prix.
Williams' Monza jinx struck again overnight, after Nick Heidfeld reported headaches at the end of the opening day of practice and was forced to sit out the rest of the weekend.
Like Ralf Schumacher, on two occasions, before him, the German was deemed unfit to contest the fastest race of the year, with the headaches attributed to a heavy crash he suffered in testing at the same Monza venue last week. Schumacher previously missed the past two Italian Grands Prix as a result of injury, his 2003 absence being attributed to a roll suffered in pre-race testing.
Williams' Monza jinx struck again overnight, after Nick Heidfeld reported headaches at the end of the opening day of practice and was forced to sit out the rest of the weekend.
Like Ralf Schumacher, on two occasions, before him, the German was deemed unfit to contest the fastest race of the year, with the headaches attributed to a heavy crash he suffered in testing at the same Monza venue last week. Schumacher previously missed the past two Italian Grands Prix as a result of injury, his 2003 absence being attributed to a roll suffered in pre-race testing.
Heidfeld crashed at Lesmo One whilst testing on 26 August and, having taken medical advice, will now rest for a few days to recuperate completely ahead of a possible return at the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend.
"I spoke with Gary Hartstein and Sid Watkins this morning, and they both recommended that I did not drive," Heidfeld confirmed.
Williams wasted no time in naming test and reserve driver Antonio Pizzonia to replace Heidfeld alongside Mark Webber for the rest of the weekend. The Brazilian finished seventh in the same race last season, while in the midst of a lengthy spell as Schumacher's replacement following the German's Indianapolis shunt.
Heidfeld had clocked the fifth and sixth fastest times in the two practice sessions on Friday, and could now miss Williams' most promising event for several weeks.
