Loose manhole cover blamed for Barrichello crash in Monaco

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A loose manhole cover caused Rubens Barrichello's Monaco Grand Prix crash last weekend, his Williams Formula One team said on Friday.

Williams, who had both cars crash out of the season's showcase race, said in a statement that an investigation had showed the drain cover at turn two was to blame for the Brazilian's accident.

"As Rubens' car drove over the manhole cover, it was spun up and hit the rear left wheel, causing failure," the team said.

"This incident has been reported to the FIA (International Automobile Federation)."

Barrichello's crash on the approach to Casino square brought out the safety car for the second time in the race and it was deployed again 12 laps later when a loose drain cover was reported.

The Brazilian's car was spun around after it hit the guardrails, facing fast approaching traffic head on. Barrichello tossed his costly steering wheel on to the track where it was then run over by the HRT of Indian Karun Chandhok.

Barrichello's German team mate Nico Hulkenberg crashed on lap one in the tunnel and Williams said that accident was caused by a front wing mounting failure after an impact with another car.