Schumacher in court over helmet switch
World Champion Michael Schumacher is being taken to court in Belgium by the European distributor of Bell Helmets after wearing a rival manufacturer's crash helmet in pre-season testing
Sports Europe says it has an exclusive contract with the Ferrari driver for the whole of the 2001 season covering all events requiring a crash helmet.
The company, which says that it only found out about Schumacher wearing a rival brand through the media, accuses the German of 'breaching and violating unilaterally and de facto his contract.'
In a statement issued on Saturday, Sports Europe said: "Sports Europe and Bell Helmets intend to protect their rights against the current World Champion whose title does not exclude him from respecting his signed agreements, nor from the most elementary ethical behaviour."
The case will be heard in Brussels "Tribunal des Référés de Première Instance" on Tuesday, although Schumacher will not be in attendance due to the proximity of the weekend's Australian Grand Prix.
Sports Europe is said to be seeking significant damages from Schumacher for the alleged breach of contract.
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