F1 racing team ambushed by gunmen in Brazil

About 20 teens stop group near Interlagos circuit, but no injuries occur

More coverage

Benson: NASCAR would welcome Danica

Sound off on NASCAR's Sprint series

NASCAR schedule, results | Standings

IRL schedule, results

INTERACTIVE

NASCAR wives and girlfriends
They're fixtures in pit row, but they don't drive on the track or work on the cars. Take a look at some notable NASCAR wives and girlfriends.

Rotoworld.com

Reed Sorenson best in NNS final practice

Mike Skinner leads first truck practice

Brett Rowe at road courses in N'wide series

Ben Stancill on NCWTS entry at Kentucky

Terry Cook fastest in truck Happy Hour

Inside NBCSports.com

Rumors
Scores, schedules
Fantasy sports
Trash Talk
Sports odds
Game matchups
Team pages
Week in Pictures
JT The Brick

Slideshow

2009 winners
Take a look at every NASCAR driver who has claimed a checkered flag this season.

more photos

Special feature

When athletes and celebs get together
A look at the many links between sports and Hollywood stars.

updated 12:46 p.m. ET Oct. 21, 2006

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Four members of the Toyota Formula One team were ambushed Friday by a group of gunmen near the Interlagos circuit in Brazil, but no one was injured.

“About 20 teenagers stopped us and other cars as we left the track Friday afternoon,” Toyota spokeswoman Fernanda Villas-Boas said Saturday. “Some people tried to escape and they started shooting, we lowered our heads and were able to flee. Thankfully nothing more serious happened.”

The ambush occurred about 1.8 miles away from the track on the Interlagos Avenue, the main road used by teams and drivers to access the circuit.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Villas-Boas was among members of the Toyota team in the car.

“One of them pointed the gun to my head and tried breaking the window of the car with his foot,” she said. “No one was hurt, but everybody was really upset afterward.”

Team drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli were not present. Armed robberies are not uncommon in Sao Paulo, a city of more than 12 million people.

“We have to make it clear this was not related to the Brazilian Grand Prix, they didn’t know we were with Toyota,” Villas-Boas said.

Slide show
The Week in Sports Pictures
Manny messes up, the Tour takes off to Spain, Nomar returns and more.
more photos
The Brazilian GP takes place Sunday, with the title still undecided between seven-time champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari and Fernando Alonso or Renault.

Alonso has a 10-point lead and can clinch the title — his second consecutive — by finishing eighth or better. Schumacher must win the race and hope Alonso fails to earn any points.