Mechanic injured by Pizzonia error

Under-pressure Antonio Pizzonia saw his hopes of saving his Formula One drive suffer another setback this morning when he hit one of his Jaguar mechanics.

The 22-year-old Brazilian rookie came into the pits too fast during the two-hour private test and hit a mechanic Andy Saunders, throwing him several feet into the air.

The mechanic was taken to the medical centre suffering from cuts and bruises and slight concussion, according to the team.

Pizzonia needs a miracle to keep his Formula One job with Jaguar set to replace him after this race with McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz.

It is not the start to the race weekend Pizzonia would have wanted as he prepares to compete on a track on which he has tested in an F1 car for the first time this season.

A Jaguar spokesman said: “Antonio just came into the box a bit too fast and off-centre and hit one of the guys.

“He’s gone to the medical centre but he’s fine. He went about six foot in the air, but its just a few cuts and bruises.”

Pizzonia posted the fifth-fastest time in the session just under one second slower than pacesetter Jarno Trulli in the Renault.

Trulli finished ahead of Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella with fellow Renault drivers Fernando Alonso and Allan McNish third and fourth-quickest.

Australia’s Mark Webber, who performances have heaped the pressure on Pizzonia, was just behind his team-mate in sixth spot.

Britain’s Ralph Firman was seventh fastest for Jordan with the Minardis of Justin Wilson and Jos Verstappen eighth and ninth.