Williams Say Puncture to Blame for Ralf's Crash

The Williams-BMW team have blamed a puncture for Ralf Schumacher's massive crash during today's United States Grand Prix.

"He had a puncture, which caused him to crash," said technical director Sam Michael in a team statement after the race. "Thankfully Ralf will be OK."

Tyre supplier Michelin said he had suffered a deflated left rear tyre after apparently picking up carbon-fibre debris.

Ralf spun coming off the banked turn 13, a flat out slingshot into the main straight where cars reach speeds of around 320 kph. He then smashed backwards into the wall before coming to rest in the middle of the track.

For what seemed an age there was no movement from the car, before Ralf moved his head slightly. The German then lay dazed in the wrecked chassis as doctors, with an ambulance parked alongside, attended to him.

Ralf, disqualified in the last race in Canada after finishing second, had been emerging from a poor start to the season with renewed spirit. He had started Sunday's race on the second row.