Wilson hospitalised for shoulder scan

Interestingly Rubens Barrichello obtained dispensation from stewards not to wear the mandatory device in the race and it seems that more work may be required if others drivers are not to follow suit.

Wilson's manager Jonathan Palmer explained: "It took several minutes just to get Justin out of the car. His arms were paralysed, completely dead. The seat belts slipped off the HANS device - it has just a single strap unlike McLaren's more sophisticated installation.

"As it stands, the belts can come over the top and slip off the side for some reason. Two things then happen: first, the HANS was digging into his shoulder, and secondly it lost all the tension holding his body down. It's quite narrow and as soon as slips off it's got a lot of play in it and it was just basically slopping about from one side to the other, digging in."

Palmer, a qualified doctor as well as former F1 driver, said: "Whether it's circulation, nerves or whatever, I'm not quite sure yet, but he was in a desperate condition when we got him out of the car (after 41 laps!). Basically it looks like he's got some temporary nerve problem. Today the HANS was a significant hazard which it would not have been if he'd not been wearing it."

Wilson performed superbly early on, running as high as seventh despite being the only driver in the 40 degree heat without the benefit of power steering.