Carpentier return delayed

The Canadian driver sustained the injury after falling down the stairs while carrying a heavy suitcase at home. Memo Gidley has deputised for him in the Player's/Forsythe Reynard-Ford for the last two races and will do so again at Motegi next weekend.

Carpentier said he was surprised not to get the all-clear to race again when CART doctor Terry Trammell examined the injury earlier this week.

"I really expected that I'd get the go-ahead from the doctor because I didn't have any trouble when I moved my wrist and there was no pain when I lifted weights during my rehabilitation," he said.

"I'm extremely disappointed, but all I can do is abide by his judgement. He simply didn't want me to take some unnecessary risks that might aggravate the injury and delay my return even longer."

"I know Patrick is anxious to get back out there," said team spokesman Neil Micklewright.

"It's never easy for a driver to be on the sidelines, but I would much prefer that he be 100 per cent than come back too soon with a nagging injury that might hamper him for the entire season."