MOTOR RACING

The company which runs the Imola Formula One track where Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger died last year said yesterday they were confident the Italian government would approve a £4m rebuilding plan. The IMF has scheduled the San Marino Grand Prix for Imola on 30 April, but the date is subject to the completion of rebuilding work.

Lotus are facing a struggle to hang on to their Finnish driver, Mika Salo, as they consider plans for a return to Formula One in 1996. Salo signed a new contract for the now defunct Lotus team after last season's Japanese Grand Prix, but has since agreedan optional deal with Tyrrell.