Brazilian Qualifying and practice news

Villeneuve has times removed After qualifying Villeneuve had been an unspectacular 16th on the grid... However, the car was found to be running a fuel "not approved for use by the competitor" - an illegal fuel - and had all his times removed. He ...

Villeneuve has times removed

After qualifying Villeneuve had been an unspectacular 16th on the grid... However, the car was found to be running a fuel "not approved for use by the competitor" - an illegal fuel - and had all his times removed. He will start from the back of the grid. The move was a further blow to BAR in a thoroughly miserable weekend for the team.

Zonta phones home

Ricardo Zonta phoned his mum on arrival at hospital to reassure her that he was alright. There has been no word yet from the hospital on his state, other than to say that he will undergo surgery this evening, described as "minor corrective surgery". He is expected to be fully recovered for Imola.

Villeneuve snubs team

Jacques Villeneuve refused to attend his own 28th birthday party after leaving practice half an hour before it ended in Brazil. He stormed from the circuit after a series of technical problems with the BAR. 100 guests had been invited to the party

Ricardo Zonta completed a not entirely successful practice by crashing out during practice, and has a suspected broken foot after attacking a barrier at 150mph.

McLaren's top second practice

The McLaren's topped the time sheets after second practice, on a dry track. Hakkinen was first with 1m18.881, with Coulthard on 1m19.352. Schumacher was third with 1m196.621...

Ralf Schumacher, who had starred in the morning, now found himself 10th with a 1m20.671. Team mate Zanardi improved to 16th with a 1m21.772. Villeneuve had a disastrous session and finished last with a 1m36.568.

Mixed fortunes for Williams in first practice

Williams found themselves with Ralf Schumacher at the front as fastest, and Zanardi failing to record a time after first practice in Brazil. The Brazilians car failed after only a single lap.

The track had been drying throughout the session, and as a result the times suddenly changed towards the end, which previously had seen Coulthard topping the times and by the end 9th. Hakkinen was a disastrous 15th...