Logistics and security at U.S. Grand Prix concern drivers

Monday, September 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MONZA, Italy (AP) _ Formula One drivers and team officials are concerned about logistics and security for the upcoming U.S. Grand Prix following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

FIA, the international governing body of Formula One racing, said the U.S. Grand Prix, scheduled for Sept. 30 at Indianapolis, will be run.

FIA president Max Mosley said the duty of motor sports was to carry on as normal and make no concessions to terrorism.

``U.S. authorities ... will undoubtedly have taken appropriate measures to protect the public at large gatherings,'' Mosley said in a statement released Sunday.

The decision to stage the race and Mosley's statement was met with mixed feelings.

Jean Todt, general manager of world champion team Ferrari, was prepared to race in Indianapolis.

``At the moment, there is one race on schedule. If a final decision must be taken, I only wish it is taken as soon as possible,'' Todt said.

Shipping cars and materials to America was a concern for Ferrari and other teams, according to Todt. He expected shipments to be completed by Thursday.

Benetton team manager Flavio Briatore was shocked by the terrorist attacks, but ready to race at the end of the month.

``We are prepared to go to Indianapolis and make our job,'' he said.

World champion Michael Schumacher said that ``after things which have happened in the United States and with one driver (former two-time CART champion Alex Zanardi) in the hospital badly hurt, we have a question whether we should be racing.''

Zanardi was in serious but stable condition Monday in a Berlin trauma clinic after doctors amputated both legs above the knee following a crash in Saturday's American Memorial 500 in Klettwitz, Germany.

Jarno Trulli, of the Jordan team, decided not to travel to Indianapolis.

``It's not only a problem of traveling to a saddened country in a state of emergency, but also a problem of security. Personally, I would have supported cancellation of the Italian GP as well,'' Trulli said.