Call for new Senna crash inquest

The future of the Italian and San Marino Grands Prix were under threat yesterday after Williams' technical director, Patrick Head, and former chief designer, Adrian Newey, were told they will have to return to court to face charges relating to the death of Ayrton Senna.

Head and Newey were acquitted of manslaughter in 1997, upheld by an appeals court two years later, over the death of Brazil's three-time world champion Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola on 1 May, 1994. But Italy's highest appeals court is reported to have annulled the appeal verdict due to "material errors" and ordered it to be held again, probably within the next year.

An appeal could also be complicated by the fact that the Williams FW16, which Senna was driving when he crashed, was destroyed after being returned to the team.

If the ruling is overturned, the future of the Italian Grand Prix and the San Marino Grand Prix, which takes place in Italy, would be threatened.