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F1 racing team ambushed by gunmen in Brazil

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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