Ex-F1 star Lehto jailed for manslaughter
Former F1 star and two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner JJ Lehto has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter following the boating accident last summer in which his friend was tragically killed.
The speedboat in which Lehto and his friend were travelling collided with a bridge pillar close to Tammisaari on the southern Finnish coast, leaving Lehto himself with head injuries.
The ex-Benetton and Sauber ace said that he had no memory of the early morning June accident, but he failed a blood-alcohol test and the court ruled he was driving the boat when it crashed - something he denies.
His lawyer has said he will appeal.
Lehto competed in 62 F1 grand's prix, making his debut in 1989, although his potential was never realised following a neck-breaking pre-season testing accident at Silverstone in 1994.
He later turned to sportscars and touring cars, in which he achieved tremendous success.
