The prosecution in Senna trial said in the final statement today that the charges made against Frank Williams should be dropped. He should be let off 'for not having committed the offence.' He also said the three track officials should be cleared.

Adrian Newey and Patrick Head still face manslaughter charges. The Prosecution said the faults made by the two were 'microscopic' and he asked the judge for a one year suspended sentence, which is one of the lightest sentences for manslaughter.

Legal specialists say that it is unlikely for the judge to give these sentences when the prosecution states that there is almost no case.

A defence lawyer stated: "The request for a guilty verdict for the Williams' technicians seems based on conjecture, arbitrary data and numerous hypotheses. It seems to me that the prosecuting magistrate has abandoned his initial position and that his accusations have been greatly weakened."

The verdict is not expected until mid December.

Jarno Trulli has signed a two-year deal with Prost-Peugeot. This decision comes as no surprise after the way Trulli drove when he replaced the injured Olivier Panis at Prost a couple of races this season. "Although Jarno joined us in difficult circumstances I was impressed by the ease with which he adapted to his new team. I was impressed by his desire to learn, by his motivation and the quality of his work," team-boss Alain Prost said.

Trulli commented: "The atmosphere in the team is great and I am thrilled at the prospect of continuing my career with Prost."

Michael Schumacher expects to be punished for trying to take Villeneuve off during the last race, he told RTL Television. He said: "I think I will be punished one way or the other, either a fine, or maybe I'll be docked points." He also added: "I regret it for the team and for the fans in Italy and Germany as their great hopes were finally dashed, because I made a mistake."

The hearing will take place in London (England) next week. At first it was scheduled in Paris (France) but the FIA thought this may not be a good idea because of the truckers blockades.

Schumacher showed himself optimistic about next season: "I think the next car will be better than the 1997 Ferrari. It will be a car which will enable us to challenge for the title from the start of next season."

Canada really has another hero in then form of Jacques Villeneuve. A crowd of about 20 thousand welcomed Villeneuve in Montreal yesterday. This championship title has brought Villeneuve's popularity to a new level.

Max Mosley stated yesterday that the European Union may miss the point that Formula One is a global sport not just a European and a EU Tobacco sponsorship ban could have big implications world wide. He said: "An EU-wide ban on tobacco sponsorship would simply provide an incentive to the tobacco industry to support major events outside the EU."

The FIA did want to compromise: "For example, we could require by regulation that no driver carry on overalls or helmet any form of tobacco advertising. This would substantially reduce the broadcast appeal of such logos...during the race and in interviews and podium ceremonies."

The decission of such a EU-ban will be made in December.