Court rules against Schuey in helmet furore

A Belgian court has ruled that Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is in breach of contract with his helmet supplier Sports Europe, the European distributor for Bell, and could be forced to pay out thousands of pounds in damages for wearing head protection made by a rival manufacturer

Schumacher has a contract to use Bell helmets which runs until the end of 2001, but the Ferrari number one has been wearing a helmet made by Schuberth, both during winter testing and Friday's free practice sessions for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

Judge Christine Dalc, of the Brussels Court of Injunctions, gave her verdict yesterday (Friday) and ruled that Schumacher must revert to wearing a Bell helmet, or pay the company almost £80,000 in damages for each day that he uses a rival brand.

The triple world champion is believed to have switched brands because he thought the Schuberth helmet was both safer and more comfortable.

Sports Europe has stated that it is prepared to discuss terminating its contract with Schumacher, provided it is done in the right way.

The German is obliged to wear a Bell helmet during all races, testing and promotional work. Should he fail to revert to his former supplier, the Schuberth lid will have cost him more than £230,000 by the end of the Australian Grand Prix.