Firman rocked by Monza blow

Rookie Ralph Firman’s hopes of pressing his claims to be retained next year suffered a blow tonight when he was ordered to miss Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The Jordan-Ford driver is suffering with an inner ear imbalance caused by his 150mph crash in practice at the last race in Hungary which he was also forced to sit-out.

Firman, who passed a medical in London last Monday, was told not to compete following a meeting with the sport’s medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins at the circuit.

“I am bitterly disappointed about this,” said the 28-year-old who smashed into the barriers after his rear wing broke at the Hungaroring.

“It’s a very minor thing. Sid said I will be 100% fine by the next race but he has said I cannot race this weekend because I am not only a danger to myself but to other competitors.

“I have been willing myself all week to get better but it was a big accident and unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that I can be ready for Monza.

“I have got vertigo but it’s only when I lie down you get the effects. But when you are driving a Formula One car at 200mph who knows what the effects might be on the circuit. The G forces might do something.

“If I wanted to cover it up I could have done. I could have hid it from Sid but you have got to be honest. He is the professional and I could do myself, someone else or spectators some damage if I was driving round and something happened.

“I got here, went to see Sid and explained everything and he said straight away that I couldn’t race.”

Firman, who spent the night in hospital in Budapest and needed crutches after injuring his heel, added: “It has taken longer than three weeks to fix.

“The foot is fine, just a bit of swelling. I have been at the doctors in London and did all the tests there are. There is nothing wrong with me but it hasn’t come right, that one per cent is not quite there.

“I have been training as normal and driving a road car since one day after the accident. It is disappointing to miss one grand prix but two is even harder.”

Firman, who has scored one point this season, was desperate to get back into the cockpit at a circuit that is regarded as the cathedral of motor racing as he bids to secure a drive for 2004.

The Norwich-based racer wants to stay at Jordan but although he signed a three-year deal it was with options and the cash-strapped team have not confirmed their line-up yet though Italy’s Giancarlo Fisichella is leaving for Sauber.

“I am just looking for a sporting chance to do well,” said Firman, confident he will compete in the final two races in the United States and Japan.

“I am desperate to go motor racing especially in F1. This is my first season and I have things to prove.

“I am looking forward to the next two races, especially Japan where I clinched the Formula Nippon title at Suzuka last year.

“It’s been a tough year but I am hoping to go through next year with Jordan. I am still 100% behind the the team.

“We have a three year agreement which hasn’t been confirmed but we are in the process of talking about that. Giancarlo has moved on and I would like to give continuity and support and help the team get back to winning ways.”

Team chief Eddie Jordan is holding talks with potential replacements with Hungary’s Zsolt Baumgartner, who made his debut when deputising for Firman in Budapest, favourite. He was set to take part in private testing tomorrow.

Germany’s Ralf Schumacher, though, was given the all-clear to race following a meeting with Professor Watkins.

Schumacher was sent somersaulting off the track when the rear suspension on his Williams-BMW snapped during testing at Monza last week.

“I had a headache for a couple of days after the accident, but I am fine I have no problems at all,” said Schumacher, fourth in the drivers’ championship 14 points behind his brother Michael.

“Mathematically I am still in the championshipos that is a possibility but all I am thinking about is getting back in the car and winning races.”