Taki Inoue will not start at the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne (Australia). The Japanese driver has sponsorship problems. He will be replaced by Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, who won the Formula Three Championship Title in 1994, drove touring cars for Alfa Romeo and tested for Minardi and Ferrari this year. He also was the candidate for the second seat at Ferrari for this season before Eddie Irvine got the job.

Michael Schumacher is still optimistic about this year. The 1994 and 1995 World Champion said this weekend: " I think we are better prepared, what the motor is concerned, than last year at Ferrari." He also added: "I don't want to have 13 retirements, but there will be some."

Blundell's debut in the Indy Car series was a disappointing 17th finish at the Grand prix of Miami yesterday. The other ex-Formula One driver to make his debut, Alessandro Zanardi, crashed into the concrete wall after a rear wheel came off when he left the pits.