Ide's Formula One license revoked

Yuji Ide will not race in Formula One again this season after world governing body, the FIA, revoked his license.

The Japanese rookie caused a spectacular accident for Christijan Albers at Imola, prompting the FIA to advise his Super Aguri team to drop him for last weekend’s Nurburgring race.

They have now gone a step further by revoking the 31-year-old’s super license, the document necessary for any driver to compete in Formula One, a move which rules him out of the remaining 13 races.

A team statement read: “It is with sadness and regret that the team accepts this decision, however Aguri Suzuki shall continue to seek driving opportunities for Yuji and hopefully a path back into Formula One.”

His place at the Honda-backed team will be taken by Frenchman Franck Montagny for the next two races, in Spain and Monaco.

The former Renault tester made his debut for Super Aguri at the Nurburgring last weekend, retiring with an engine problem.

Montagny may not be at the wheel beyond Monaco though, with team principal Suzuki talking to several drivers about that seat and the vacant third driver role.

GP2 driver Hiroki Yoshimoto has been linked to the team, who are keen to present themselves as an all-Japanese entry.