Dindo: It was a huge impact.

Dindo Capello admitted that his incident early in the Le Mans Series race at Monza was one of the biggest impacts of his career as the Italian - and team-mate Allan McNish - hit problems for the second straight event.

After mechanical issues halted their challenge in the season opener in Barcelona, the reigning American Le Mans Series title-winners were looking to try and secure a first podium of the year at the high-speed Monza circuit and ran third in the early stages of the race behind the two works Peugeot's.

However, shortly after making his first pit-stop, Capello was then involved in a huge accident on the run to the Parabolica, when contact from the Rollcentre Pescarolo of Vanina Ickx saw him spin into the barrier and almost flip over in a scene that would be repeated later in the race when Stephane Ortelli rolled his Oreca-Courage out of the event.

Luckily for Capello, he was able to nurse the car back to the pitlane to be repaired, with the heavily damaged R10 returning to the track little more than 15 minutes later. Although the pair climbed back into the top five, a late puncture meant the pair instead took sixth when the chequered flag flew.

"Regarding my accident, I was on the straight before Parabolica," Capello said. "There were three cars in front of me. I overtook the second car and then suddenly found the car in front of me going slowly. I went to the right, otherwise I would have crashed into this car.

"Unfortunately Vanina Ickx was there and we sligthly touched. The car went on one side then went on the grass before flying through the air. It was probably one of the biggest impacts I've had. I was lucky. The mechanics and the team did a fantastic job - a lesson for the other teams. We recovered with Allan and I setting very fast lap times. It was a shame to lose fifth position because of a puncture just on the lap the pace car switched off the lights."

McNish himself also had a somewhat lucky escape after almost being collected by Ortelli's flying car at the opening chicane when the Frenchman lost control and came within inches of collecting the #1 R10.

"My thoughts are with Stephane who barrel-rolled through the air across the rear of my car," he said. "It was a shocking accident - a very frightening sight - and I wish him a quick and full recovery.

"Unfortunately we were again on a recovery drive and I'm especially disappointed because we had a car to win this race although on sheer pace, we're quite a long way from where we need to be. Audi Sport Team Joest did a superb job after Dindo's accident in repairing our extensively damaged R10 TDI in record-breaking time which allowed us to set competitive times for the remainder of the race."