All acquitted in Senna trial

A judge in Italy has cleared three members of the Williams Formula One motor racing team of manslaughter in connection with the death of the Brazilian driver, Ayrton Senna.

Three track officials were also acquitted by the court in the northern town of Imola.

The former world champion, who died in a high-speed crash during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, was widely regarded as the finest driver of his generation.

A BBC correspondent at the trial says the verdict has come as a relief to the Williams team and to motor racing in general, as a guilty verdict would have discouraged racers from competing in Italy.

The prosecution, which argued that the accident happened because the car's modified steering system was badly welded, is expected to appeal.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service