Formula One: Burti waiting for second scan

Luciano Burti is scheduled to undergo another scan today as Formula One was again paying thanks to the improvements in driver safety in recent years.

The Cambridge-based Brazilian suffered bruising but no swelling to the brain after being engulfed in a mountain of rubber when slamming into a tyre barrier in yesterday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Burti’s Prost car hit the barriers at around 170mph after shooting off the Spa-Francorchamps circuit following a collision with former Jaguar Racing team-mate Eddie Irvine.

Britain’s David Coulthard, who eventually finished second to Michael Schumacher after the race was stopped and reduced to 36 laps because of the smash, believes Burti would have lost his life but for the safety improvements.

‘‘In previous years Luciano’s accident would have been fatal,’’ said Coulthard, a member of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association which works with organisers to improve safety.

‘‘We (GPDA) have suggested changes were made and they have been and we are continuing to make further suggestions. As long as we can have these accidents in Formula One and the drivers walk away it shows that we are doing a good job.’’

Irvine, whose car was also left in pieces, was the first on the scene and helped marshals pull away the tyres from Burti, who moved to Prost when he was ditched by Jaguar after just four races this season.

‘‘He hit the wall very hard indeed,’’ said Irvine of the accident after Burti tried to overtake him at Blanchimont, one of the fastest parts of the circuit. ‘‘It is astonishing he is okay.

‘‘The head and neck restraint system played a key role in saving Luciano from serious injury.

‘‘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.’’

Burti, who made his debut in Austria last year when Irvine pulled out through illness, was air-lifted to Liege’s University Hospital when he was finally taken from the smashed Prost.

Irvine, who saw the crash is expected to visit Burti in hospital today.

Schumacher, another leading member of the GPDA, said: ‘‘We have to continue to look for improved safety but you will never find total safety.’’

Team boss Alain Prost added later: ‘‘It is a miracle that he is now out of danger considering the violence of the impact. We have been really frightened by Luciano’s accident.

‘‘This confirms the constant safety improvements of both the F1 monocoques and of the circuit equipments.

‘‘We are now a bit relieved and all the team is looking forward to seeing him recovering very soon. All our thoughts go to him and his family.’’