Burti unsure of F1 future

Burti is feeling in good shape after his 180mph shunt at Spa, where he suffered head and facial injuries. But he will not race again this year and is not even sure if Prost will retain him for 2002.

In his first interview since the accident, Burti told Autosport magazine at the Rockingham Champ Car race last weekend: "I cannot say when I will be back in the cockpit because I am not sure when it is going to happen. It could be in two months or it could be more, but my feelings today are as soon as I am OK, then I will be back driving."

Whether he will ever get back into F1 is open to question. "I cannot say about that," said Burti. "I will have to think about the whole thing, but I will be driving, that is for sure. But I am not sure what yet."

The Brazilian was a popular visitor to the Champ Car paddock, where many of his friends and fellow countrymen race. It was his first public appearance since Spa.

For more on Burti, see this week's Autosport, on sale tomorrow (Thursday).