Practice starts banned at French GP.

The FIA has taken the unusual step of banning practice starts at Magny-Cours after listening to the fears of the several drivers.

McLaren's David Coulthard had a narrow escape in the afternoon qualifying session for tomorrow's French Grand Prix, when Ralf Schumacher appeared from the pit-lane in front of him. Although the incident was not necessarily related to the practice start issue, it served to highlight the lack of visibility when exiting the Magny-Cours pit-lane, and re-inforced the FIA decision.

''It is difficult here to see whether another car is coming [along the start/finish straight] because of the angles we have on our mirrors,'' Coulthard explained, ''I don't know whether Ralf came out particularly slowly or what, but I met him right in the middle of turn one - which isn't something you want to be doing.

''The problem is something that needs to be looked at for next year, although the marshals could be more helpful.''

FIA race director Charlie Whiting revealed that the concerns had been addressed during the drivers' briefing on the morning of qualifying and, having watched proceedings during free practice, decided to outlaw the practising of starts for the remainder of the meeting.

''Having had the chance to observe the pit-lane exit during two practice sessions, we feel that practice starts anywhere at the pit exit can result in a dangerous situation,'' he said in an official statement, ''Consequently, no further practice starts will be permitted at the meeting.''