Formula 1: Schumacher told - No specs please

Ralf Schumacher has been told he should not wear glasses while racing in the upcoming Formula One season.

He ordered the unbreakable glasses from opticians Oakley after he was involved in a crash and an eye test revealed he was short sighted.

But Formula One medical boss Sid Watkins has advised Schumacher to wear contact lenses as spectacles are too dangerous to wear while racing.

However there are fears contacts will affect his eyes especially as he is not used to wearing them.

It is not just bad news for Schumacher but also for Oakley and Ralf's helmet company Schuberth, as the German firm had designed a special inside padding for his helmet, which now has to be ditched.

Contacts are nothing new to the circuit. Rubens Barrichello and Jacques Villeneuve both use them.

"I have used contacts for a long time and had no problems. Specs are far too dangerous though," said Villeneuve.

According to reports, the F1 world council FIA has not forbidden glasses and German driver Rolf Stommelen and former Jaguar team boss Bobby Rahal both drove wearing specs without being banned.