Formula 1: Enge to compete in Italy on Sunday
Tomas Enge will become the first Czech driver to compete in a Formula One race in Italy on Sunday after being confirmed as the replacement for Luciano Burti.
Enge, whose British team-mate Justin Wilson won the F3000 title last week, was called up after Burti told the Prost team he could not race at Monza as he recovers from the head injuries he suffered in Belgium.
Burti was back home in Monaco yesterday after being released from hospital in Liege eight days after he smashed head-on at 170mph into a tyre barrier at Spa-Francorchamps.
The 26-year-old was lucky to escape with just head injuries after he became buried in a wall of tyres following a collision with the Jaguar of former team-mate Eddie Irvine early in the race.
‘‘One of the first things I did after I left the hospital was to talk to my family and friends and tell them that I am not ready to be back to racing yet,’’ said Burti.
‘‘I will be the only person who knows when I should be back in a Formula One car.
‘‘My family and friends understood and respected my decision, and I realised after this accident how important it was for me to be able to make this very personal decision and to share it with the people I love.’’
Burti’s decision left the way clear for 25-year-old Enge, who has recently signed a test deal until the end of the season with the Paris-based outfit run by four-time former world champion Alain Prost.
