Michael Schumacher launched the defence of his drivers'
crown in perfect fashion with victory in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.
But the podium celebrations were a muted affair after it was revealed that a track offical died after being struck by a wheel.
Jacques Villeneuve and Ralf Schumacher had a horrific accident that saw the Canadian fly through the air after running into the back of Schumacher, before slamming into the concrete wall and skidding to a halt in the gravel trap.
Villeneuve's car was left in tatters with all four wheels ripped off. Eyewitnesses reports say one of the wheels went through a photographers' hole in the fence.
The Confederation of Australian Motorsport issued a statement later saying the official, who was at turn three on the track, was from Queensland.
CAMS said that seven spectators had been treated for minor injuries and discharged and that the incident would not be subject of an inquest by a coroner.
Michael Schumacher won by just 1.7 seconds from McLaren's David Coulthard with Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello over 30 seconds back in third place.
PA
