European GP Tyrrell preview

European Grand Prix Preview Driving Decision for Ukyo on Wednesday

Ukyo Katayama is in good health at the Hospital de St Francisco Xavier in Lisbon after his spectacular accident at the start of the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday.

Tada Kuwabara, his manager and close friend said: "Ukyo is fine and in good spirits and should fly back to England tomorrow, Tuesday. He will be examined by Formula 1's Chief Doctor, Prof Sid Watkins on Wednesday and a decision will then be made for the European Grand Prix."

Harvey Postlethwaite, Managing Director - Engineering and the members of the Tyrrell team are pleased about Ukyo's rapid recovery. "We are delighted that Ukyo escaped his accident almost without injury", commented Harvey. "We are looking forward to his return to England and we hope he will drive next weekend.

"We know from the telemetry that the car was traveling at 220 km/h before the first impact. The car somersaulted several times but all the safety measures worked exactly as they should and the monocoque had almost no structural damage."

"The team will continue to look at the telemetry to see if there are any lessons that can be learned from a safety point", added Postlethwaite. "There are new head rest proposals for next year and the fact that in the amazingly severe accident the only injury that Ukyo sustained was a stiff neck, points to the fact that the additional head restraints that are coming into force next year look as if they would have been beneficial and provide an additional safety benefit."

Mika Salo said: "I am relieved that Ukyo is in good shape. I am looking forward to the European Grand Prix because I will be one of the few drivers who have raced there before - even if it is easy track to learn. The weather in Germany should be much cooler than in Portugal and that suits the performance of the 023."

Mike Gascoyne, Deputy Technical Director: "It is a little used circuit in the World Championship and hasn't hosted a Formula 1 race for then years. It is a high down force track with lots of corners following closely on each other. It will be very tiring for the drivers. It is very hard to predict lap times due not knowing the track surface. Outside temperatures at this time of the year will be very cool which again could cause the track to have quite low grip."

The European Grand Prix will be held on the new 4.542 kms / 2.822 miles Nurburgring circuit near Cologne. The 68 lap, 308.856 kms / 191.955 miles race will start at 14.00 hours local time on Sunday 1 October and is expected to last 1 hour 30 minutes.