Schumacher Crashes at Indy Practice, Walks Away

Topics:  United States Grand Prix, Ralf Schumacher

VOA Sports
Voice of America
June 17, 2005

The second practice session for the U.S. Grand Prix has been halted in Indianapolis, Indiana after Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher of Germany crashed.

Schumacher hit the wall at almost the same spot where he crashed during last year's race.  However, unlike last year, Schumacher escaped this time without injury.  The practice session was halted immediately so track officials could clear debris from the race course.

Colombian Juan Palo Montoya had the fastest time in the first practice session, piloting his McLaren-Mercedes around the 4.192 kilometer "Brickyard" circuit in 1:12.027.

Toyota's Brazilian test driver Ricardo Zonta, who will not race Sunday, had the second fastest time with championship points leader Fernando Alonso of Renault third.

Alonso leads the championship standings with 59 points.  Kimi Raikkonen of Finland is second with 37 points.  The qualifying is set for Saturday and the race is Sunday.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.