Motor racing: Briatore's F1 threat

The Benetton team manager has threatened to boycott Formula One races in Italy if there are convictions for the death of Ayrton Senna at Imola in 1994.

Flavio Briatore's comments follow the decision by a magistrate to clear the way for a prosecutor to charge the Williams team manager, Frank Williams, and five other people with manslaughter.

"If anyone were convicted in Italy of Senna's death, it would be big trouble," Briatore said. "I, for example, would not risk bringing my team to a country that can convict you for an accident. Fatality is part of the game."

Senna suffered fatal head injuries when his Williams hit a concrete wall in the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in 1994.

Also facing possible trial are Patrick Head, Williams' technical manager; an unidentified team mechanic; two senior Imola officials; and Roland Bruinseraede, the Belgian race director.