Monday 17th September 2001

Michael Schumacher was forced to back down on threats not to compete in the US Grand Prix at the end of the month after Bernie Ecclestone warned him he could be stripped of his almost-certain title if he did. Schumacher was one of several drivers raising concerns about their safety in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But he got backing from Jaguar boss and former champion Niki Lauda.”Personally I don’t think we should go, but it’s not my decision,” he said. “We have a contractual commitment to Indianapolis and the race could only be cancelled if the organisers there wanted it.”