Schumacher in hospital after high speed crash

Ralf Schumacher is recovering in a hospital in Italy this evening after crashing his Williams-BMW in testing at Monza.

Ralf Schumacher is recovering in a hospital in Italy this evening after crashing his Williams-BMW in testing at Monza.

Schumacher's car was badly damaged in the crash this afternoon, but he was conscious when he arrived at the track's medical centre before being transferred to hospital in Milan.

Schumacher's car is believed to have somersaulted several times when he crashed at the 150mph first Lesmo corner.

He was accompanied by his brother Michael when he was taken to the San Rafaele hospital.

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Tim Newton, BMW-Williams test team manager, told the team's website, www.bmw.williamsf1.com: "We commenced our three-day test at Monza today, with Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya sharing testing duties in the FW25.

"Our objectives involved set-up preparation for the forthcoming race here as well as tyre testing for Michelin and some brake investigation work.

"Ralf suffered an accident at the end of the afternoon session when he spun off the circuit at one of the Lesmo corners. He is currently undergoing precautionary medical checks.

"The cause of the accident is not yet known but is under investigation."