Williams shock as officials again face charges over Senna death

FORMULA ONE team Williams said last night it was surprised by the Italian Supreme Court’s decision that will see technical director Patrick Head and former chief designer Adrian Newey again face charges over the death of Ayrton Senna.

Head and Newey were acquitted of manslaughter charges in 1997, upheld by an appeals court two years later, over the death of Brazil's three-time world champion Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola almost nine years ago.

But Italy's highest appeals court has annulled the appeal verdict due to 'material errors' and ordered the appeal be held again, likely to be within the next 12 months.