Sauber stays fourth despite Kimi crash

Raikkonen's accident is a disappointing end to the season for the Hinwil-based squad, which has been the revelation of 2001. With it's nimble C20 chassis allied to a customer Ferrari V10 the McLaren-bound Raikkonen and team mate Nick Heidfeld have managed to run at the sharp end for much of the year.

The young Finn made an uncharacteristic mistake on the bumps of the Dunlop curve on lap six, which pitched his car into a spin and into the path of Jean Alesi's Jordan. The pair hit the wall hard with Raikkonen's nose cone just inches from Alesi's helmet. Despite a shower of wheels and carbon fibre body parts, both escaped unhurt.

"I'm not sure what happened," said a shaken Raikkonen afterwards. "It all seemed to happen in slow motion. The lap before, my car had begun to understeer in the fast left-handers behind the pits, but that lap the back end suddenly snapped round and I spun. The next thing I knew Alesi hit me and there was debris everywhere. It was a pretty big shunt and I have a bit of a head and neck ache but otherwise I'm fine."

After setting an impressive third fastest time in the warm-up, Heidfeld finished a disappointing ninth after a first-corner skirmish with the Benettons of Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button pushed him back early in the race. The young German also narrowly managed to avoid being collected by the debris from his team mate's accident.

"I was really lucky to miss the flying wheels in Kimi's accident," he said. "I'm pleased to hear that he is okay and delighted that we confirmed our fourth place in the championship."

The team finished the year with a total of 22 points in fourth spot, five clear of both works Honda teams Jordan and British American Racing.

For full race results, click here.