Sato Taken to Hospital after Crash at Mugello

BAR-Honda test driver Takuma Sato was taken to hospital for checks on Tuesday after crashing his car in testing at Mugello ahead of next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Sato, who joined the BAR team as test driver at the start of the year and is expected to step up to the race team next year, lost control of the car during the afternoon session at the Italian circuit.

He was taken to a local hospital after being checked over at the track but the team said the car was not badly damaged and expect the Japanese driver to return to the cockpit on Wednesday.

"Takuma put a wheel on the grass at turn eight and crashed into the tyre barriers," said a team spokeswoman. "The car was not too badly damaged but Takuma banged his lower left leg by the ankle.

"It was a minor accident. He was checked over at the circuit medical centre and he was also taken to the local hospital for checks but has been released and is expected to be in the car tomorrow."

Sato is the latest in a long list of drivers who have been hospitalised after heavy Formula One smashes this season which started when Button crashed in practice for the Monaco Grand Prix in May.

More recently Briton Ralph Firman was hospitalised and missed two races after crashing his Jordan in practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix and German Ralf Schumacher missed the Italian race after crashing in pre-event testing.

Briton Button crashed again in the build-up to last weekend's United States Grand Prix and was flown back to specialists in London for a check up before returning to action at Indianapolis.