Burti in hospital until end of week

The Brazilian went head-on into a tyre barrier at the super-fast Blanchimont corner early in yesterday's race after colliding with the Jaguar of Eddie Irvine. Burti's Prost was immersed in tyres and he suffered concussion and bruising to his brain.

The 26-year-old was taken to Liege hospital in Belgium where he underwent a brain scan and was kept in overnight. Following further tests this morning (Monday), doctors have decided to keep Burti in until at least the end of the week.

"He is recovering really fast and woke up normally by himself this morning," said a spokeswoman for the Prost team. "He will stay in the hospital in Liege until the end of the week and possibly over the weekend."

Fellow countryman and friend Rubens Barrichello has been to visit Burti and the Prost driver's family are thought to be on their way.

It is not yet known who will replace Burti, should he not be fit to take his seat alongside team mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks' time. Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer is thought to be a possible option due to the French team's links with Ferrari through its customer engine deal.

Prost is due to test this week from Wednesday to Friday at the Magny-Cours circuit in France with Frentzen and Formula 3000 ace Tomas Enge behind the wheel.