By Karl King
June 18 2005

In what team principal Tsutomu Tomita describes as a 'precautionary measure,' under the advice of the FIA's chief medical delegate, Brazilian Ricardo Zonta will replace Ralf Schumacher at Indianapolis.

At a track where Ralf has only finished once in the past 5 years, and that being in a lowly 16th, things have got worse for the German. A crash at the same place with BMW.Williams in 2004 put Ralf out for three months, but he's confidentfor a return for the next GP in France. This is what the unlucky Schumacher has to say:

"This news is obviously very disappointing for myself and for the team. I wish the team all the best for the rest of the weekend and I'm confident that I will be back in time for this month's French Grand Prix."

Zonta, who will take over the seat, is sorry for Ralf but delighted to have another chance in the Toyota:

"Yesterday's events mean this is not an ideal situation for the whole team, and I'm especially sorry for Ralf. Of course I'm glad to be back with a chance to race the car, but on the other hand it's a very difficult situation. But I have been called up to race once before on a Saturday with a previous team so I will try to make the most out of the rest of the weekend."