The FIA may have decided that neither Eddie Irvine nor Luciano Burti was to blame for the accident that put the Brazilian in hospital, but that won’t stop Burti from "wanting to thump" the Ulsterman.
A furious Luciano Burti has threatened to hit Eddie Irvine after a collision between the two at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday put the Brazilian in hospital.
Irvine and Burti’s cars touched at the entry to the high-speed Blanchimont corner on lap five and the Prost driver sped straight into the tyre wall. Irvine was able to walk away from his vehicle, but Burti had to be lifted out by marshals because his Prost was stuck in the tyre wall. He was airlifted to a hospital in Liege and held overnight after a brain scan showed bruising. It is believed he also suffered severe bruising around his eyes and can talk, but with a little difficulty.
"The scan showed bruising on two locations on the head, but no swelling," circuit officials said. "He will be closely monitored and there will be another scan (on Monday)."
Burti spoke to his friend Rubens Barrichello, with whom he shares a house in Cambridge, after the race. Barrichello said Burti was doing fine. "He was well enough to be furious with Irvine after the accident. Burti said he wished he was well enough to leave hospital so he could thump Irvine."
Meanwhile, the FIA has said it will not be taking action against Eddie Irvine or Luciano Burti after their 275kmph accident in the Belgian Grand Prix. After an inquiry, circuit officials decided neither driver was to blame.
"Having viewed video evidence and heard the explanation of the driver of car number five (Eddie Irvine), the stewards of the meeting decided that the matter was a racing incident and no further action will not taken," the FIA said in a press statement.
Irvine said he was surprised by Burti’s overtaking attempt on one of the fastest parts of the circuit. "I was going very slowly because I was on a one-stop strategy. I was taking my line out of Stavelot and into Blanchimont.
"There wasn’t anything unusual about my entry into the fast left hander, but midway through the corner I felt an impact on the rear and after that I was a passenger. I knew Luciano was there, but I simply didn’t expect him to have a go on the inside of that corner.
Irvine expressed relief that his former Jaguar team-mate was recovering well. "He hit the wall very hard indeed and I’m glad he’s OK. The head and neck restraint system played a key role in saving Luciano from serious injury today. I was the first on the scene and his head was literally pushed over to one side with the weight of the tyres. The head and neck restraint system obviously absorbed the impact of the tyres. I’m just thankful that Luciano is OK."
It was Burti’s second accident in just over a month. He crashed heavily after being lifted into the air off the back of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari just after the start of the German Grand Prix in July.
