Minardi man escapes attack in Sao Paulo

Lees was attacked as he climbed into a waiting taxi after collecting several thousand pounds that was to be used to pay the Italian team's mechanics their daily allowance.

"I'd just come out of the bank," said Lees. "It was a few feet to the car and I had the money stuffed down my shirt. Suddenly there were three blokes trying to pull me through the window by my hair. We just fought, but they didn't get the money. In the end they just ripped my watch off my wrist, grabbed my sunglasses and ran."

The theft is not the first of the weekend as the team also had six wheel rims stolen from the paddock outside their garage. The Jaguar squad, in the garages next door, also had several lap tops stolen worth over £10,000.

The Big Cat's computers held key technical information regarding the team's Cosworth V10 engines and Minardi is struggling as it is now short of front wheels.

"Obviously it's not going to stop us going racing," said team boss Paul Stoddart, "but it leaves us short because they were all fronts and it means we will have to keep swapping tyres around during the race weekend."

Minardi have made an official complaint to the governing body, the FIA, about the thefts. Although the circuit is a favourite of the drivers, Sao Paulo is one of the most unpopular races on the calendar. The city has a reputation for violence and robbery.