Jordan's Sato crashes out

The Williams duo were potentially handed a lifeline on lap 23 when Frenchman Olivier Panis skidded to a standstill in the middle of the track on the home straight when the Honda engine on his BAR went up in flames.

Race officials deployed the safety car because the BAR was stranded in a dangerous place.

Barrichello and Schumacher immediately darted into the pits for fresh tyres and fuel but the championship leader had to wait several seconds for his turn.

That allowed Barrichello to open up a gap with Schumacher stuck behind three other cars on the road.

But as soon as the safety car returned, it had to be deployed again as Heidfeld lost control of his Sauber.

The German skidded off the track, along the gravel and onto the track again at Remus Curve, taking out the Jordan of Takuma Sato who was negotiating the corner and just missing Montoya at the same time.