Despite widespread criticism of the way in which Ralf Schumacher's crash, and subsequent rescue, was handled, the FIA has said that it is "satisfied" with the way in which the rescue units handled the situation.

Following the German's high-speed crash at the exit to the corner at the start of the main straight, his wrecked WilliamsF1 was left stranded in the middle of the track for what seemed an eternity. TV viewers looked on in horror as Schumacher sat motionless in his car, in scenes reminiscent of the fateful day at Imola in 1994.

Their initial fears worsened when it appeared that nobody was going to the aid of the stricken driver, while the race continued. Such was the concern, that race fans at the track were screaming at marshals to rescue the driver and stop the race.

Although the race continued, behind the safety car, a medical unit eventually reached the German, and under the supervision of Prof Sid Watkins, Schumacher was extricated.

In the days following the incident there has been widespread condemnation of the manner in which the incident was handled, not merely from race fans, but fellow drivers, with some calling for a full investigation.

However, according to Reuters, a spokesman for the FIA has confirmed that the sport's governing body is "satisfied" with the way in which the rescue services reacted.

"The safety car, medical car and fast intervention cars were deployed by race control without delay," he said, "and the first car to reach the incident was the closest emergency medical vehicle.

"We require emergency medical personnel to arrive at an incident within two minutes. This was achieved and we were therefore satisfied with the response time."

With the German motionless in the car, many were fearful that the (apparent) delay could mean the difference between life and death, and that therefore trackside marshals should have raced to the car as soon as possible.

"Track marshals and non-medical personnel attending the scene are specifically instructed not to touch a driver and to wait for medical experts to arrive," said the FIA spokesman. "A well-meaning intervention by someone other than an expert could have very serious consequences for the driver involved."