Appeal threatens Italian Grand Prix

The Italian Grand Prix is under threat following an appeal against the verdict of the Ayrton Senna trial

The event is due to take place at Monza on September 12, but a move by the prosecutor to ask for a new trial into the death of Senna may lead to F1 bosses dropping the race.

Max Mosley, president of the sport's governing body, the FIA, is worried that FIA officials and F1 teams may be held criminally responsible for any accidents in which drivers are killed or injured.

However, Mosley is hopeful that his request to the Italian authorities for a 'dangerous sports' law would be heeded.

'We have had a number of discussions about that and I recently had a meeting with the Italian Minister of Justice. We understand a law is in preparation,' he said.

'We want to see a Europe-wide law which makes it clear that nobody involved in a dangerous sport will be held criminally responsible unless he does something completely outside the rules unforeseen by anybody.'