According to German newspaper Bild, Ralf Schumacher will not participate in next week's Hungarian GP.

The German, who has been out of action since the United States Grand Prix, when he crashed heavily, has missed three races, but hoped to be fit enough to return to action for round thirteen of the 2004 World Championship.

"Ralf's bone thickness was measured and it was established that the two broken vertebrae were not yet as hardened as is normally the case," says Ralf's manager Willi Weber. "Another accident like the one in Indianapolis and Ralf could be made a paraplegic. Nobody could accept that."

Despite his obvious disappointment, Ralf, who joins Toyota next season, accepts the decision. "I feel good," he said, "but it's no doubt better for me to listen to the doctors."

WilliamsF1, which had planned a shakedown for the German, has yet to comment, though it is understood that an official statement will be issued on Friday.

Antonio Pizzonia, who replaced the German in his home GP, is expected to drive the second FW26 alongside Juan Pablo Montoya.