Schuey suffers another testing smash

Schumacher was back behind the wheel of his Ferrari for the first time since clinching his fourth Formula 1 World Championship in Hungary at the weekend. The rear wing of the German's F2001 is thought to have come off just at the braking point for the first corner of the Mugello track, which is approached at close to 180mph.

The world champion's Ferrari flew across the gravel and hit the barrier damaging the scarlet machine beyond repair at the circuit. He was brought back to the garage unhurt and a spokeswoman for the Italian team simply said: "He's ok."

Schumacher also escaped unscathed from a big crash in testing at Monza last month, when the floor of his Ferrari broke. The car's handling was affected causing it to go straight on and into the barrier at the Variante della Roggia chicane.

Earlier in the day, Schumacher had admitted that the big crashes he has suffered at Silverstone in 1999 and at Monza this year have affected him.

"Yes, it has changed me a little," he said. "These accidents are definitely not a pleasant experience, but I know there was a technical reason behind them. However, I have always had great faith in the team. I know that, just as when I get on a plane for example, that you can never be 100 percent sure you will not have an accident."

The Ferrari number one is due to continue testing tomorrow (Friday), but with his car out action, it is not yet known whether he will take over team mate Rubens Barrichello's car or whether a new chassis will be brought to the track.