Tough Start for Raikkonen in Italy

Kimi Raikkonen crashed his Sauber in free practice for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix shortly after the announcement that he was joining McLaren in 2002.

The Woking team announced earlier that Raikkonen would take the place of twice champion Mika Hakkinen next season with the older Finn deciding to take a year's break.

The 21-year-old Finn braked, swerved left into the crash barriers in the opening session and ripped the nose and front right wheel off his car before spinning and bouncing to a halt.

The flying Sauber narrowly missed a parked-up Minardi before it stopped. The Finn walked away unhurt but was unable to take part in the second session, finishing in 16th place.

"The car felt very good in my brief run this morning, but going down to the first chicane it got out of shape and I hit the barriers at high speed," Raikkonen, who suffered another shunt in testing earlier this month, said. "I'm okay, but I don't really know what happened.

"Everything seemed normal until the rear brakes locked. I guess I was lucky to avoid Alex Yoong's parked Minardi, but I'm very disappointed not to be able to run again today."

Raikkonen's German teammate Nick Heidfeld also crashed into the barriers during the first practice session, he too being unable to complete any laps in the afternoon. Heidfeld finished the day in eighth position.

"I was pleased with the C20's speed this morning, as it confirmed my expectations of the car at this circuit," he said. "Unfortunately, going into the second Lesmo I couldn't get the car to turn in as the brakes locked, and it hit the barrier quite hard after sliding across the gravel trap."