Updated: 4 March 1998, 20:40 GMT
Coulthard not to get carried away by all the hype
(c)M-WEB
20:40 GMT
Being one of the favourites for the drivers' title in 1998 with his new McLaren Mercedes-Benz car, the 26-year-old David Coulthard prefers to duck out of talking about his prospects and raising false hopes about the 1998 Formula One season.
Coulthard said that he would like to challenge for the title this year, but that he cannot stand here and say this is his championship year because it may not be. He said that he's got absolutely no idea of what is going to happen this season.
Despite what the Scott said, his lap times during winter testing speaks for itself. Coulthard was however matched for pace by his McLaren team-mate Mika Hakkinen, was running on the excellent Bridgestone tyres, and wasn't up against Michael Schumacher's Ferrari or Jacques Villeneuve's Williams, but undeniably, at Barcelona they were fast and reliable.
Damon Hill recently said that the improvement in the McLaren team, who have all the ingredients in place, Adrian Newey as technical director and Bridgestone tyres as well as the Mercedes engines, puts them out in front of the rest. Hill added that Coulthard has a golden opportunity to become world champion this season and will never have a better chance to cash in.
Coulthard said however that it is one thing being quicker than the opposition in Barcelona in pre-season testing, but quite another to be fastest and to win in the first race. He said that last year will not mean a thing, because it is all about what you do on the day. He said that good form is encouraging, but it is not a result. I don't want to 'do a Damon' and one week say this is the best car I have ever driven and then the next go round a few seconds off the pace . . . .", he said. Coulthard said that he is just not going to be carried away by all the hype, especially as Ferrari and Williams were not there and they remain the yardsticks. He added that the only thing that matters to him this year is the results.
Coulthard said that people think the quick drivers are the guys in the quick cars.He said that they do not think about the ones who are making the difference in cars that are not up to it. He said that he is just getting on with it and doing his best. He said that he is not relaxing, but in better shape physically, and mentally, than ever before. "I've still got a lot to learn," Coulthard added.
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(c)M-WEB
20:20 GMT
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Formula One teams disassemble their cars when shipped to overseas locations and then reassemble them at the racing tracks. The Jordan team completed the reassembling of their two race cars on Wednesday, but still need to finish the spare car, according to sources.
A Jordan spokesperson said Wednesday that everything is going according to schedule. They also completed the setup of their pit area.
Eddie Jordan said they are now ready for Friday's first practice session, scheduled to start at 11:00 local time.
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(c)M-WEB
19:00 GMT
According to sources, Jacques Villeneuve will begin the defence of his world title in Melbourne, Australia this weekend determined to become the greatest racing driver of all time.
Craig Pollock believes that the Canadian wants to beat the record of five drivers' championships achieved by legendary Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio in Formula One's early years in the 1950s. Pollock said that he thinks Villeneuve's aim is to win not one or two championships, but to try and beat Fangio's record.
Craig Pollock relinquished his role as Villeneuve's manager when he helped engineer the buy-out of the Tyrrell Formula One team and become managing director of British American Racing, which will make its official debut next year.
The funding of British American Racing will be handled by the cigarette giants, British American Tobacco. The funding of the team will be around $200 million over five years and according to reports, they want the 27-year-old reigning champion to spearhead their challenge.
Pollock said that it would be a dream if Villeneuve could be driving for him. He said that it would be fantastic but Villeneuve has his own career. He said that he is sure Villeneuve would come to them if he thought he could win. Pollock added that Villeneuve will only go to a team where he would have a chance of winning.
According to earlier reports, the Williams team have given Villeneuve a deadline to inform them if he wants to continue with the team next year. The Oxfordshire-outfit are keen on securing his services for another year having brought him into Formula One in 1996 after he won the IndyCar title in North America, but the team do not want the matter to drag on.
British American Racing, which has forged a partnership with top car maker Reynard, could switch their attentions to Villeneuve's arch-rival Michael Schumacher. According to sources, BAR said that they would not baulk at the German's $20 million-a-year asking price.
Schumacher is under contract to Ferrari until the end of the 1999 season but is understood to have a clause in his contract with the team which would allow him to quit early if the car was not competitive.
Pollock said that they can afford it as they are a well-funded team. "Why should we not try for Schumacher if we have the funding and the package. If we can go for Jacques we can go for Schumacher," said Pollock.
Pollock said that to say that they could win the world championship in the first season might be a little pretentious, but added that Reynard's record is winning races in the first year and the championship in the second year.
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Schumacher wants to forget Jerez
(c)M-WEB
19:00 GMT
Location : Melbourne
According to reports, German Michael Schumacher is confident he can restore his reputation by charging to a third drivers' title this year.
Schumacher launches his challenge in Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix here aware that most neutral observers want him to fail following the cynical way he tried to grab the championship last season. Schumacher knows he cannot wipe-out the memory of his attempt to force rival Jacques Villeneuve off the track in Jerez that earned him condemnation even from normally loyal supporters.
The 29-year-old realises however that delivering the holy grail of a championship to Ferrari would deflect from what happened in Spain and 13-month old Gina Maria (Schumacher's daughter) could be the key. Schumacher believes that his appetite for Formula One has been restored after he took the unprecedented step of extending the family holiday over Christmas to escape from the constant demands on his time.
Schumacher said that his six-week Scandinavian break was one of his longest holidays ever. He said that normally he only take three weeks holiday, but this year he took more time. He said that this was the first year he could be together with his wife and child and that they had a great time. Schumacher said that he saw his daughter going from crawling up to walking and getting her first two teeth. He said that all of that was quite amazing to see because it just moves things away from yourself and gives you a different view of life. He said that it was good for him because he has benn doing the job for so long you need and need to relax, particularly after such a severe year as they had last year. He added that it was very helpful.
Schumacher even warned that he will walk away from the sport if he feels it is affecting his daughter's development, according to sources.
But Schumacher is determined to deliver Ferrari the title they crave as it is now 19 years since South African Jody Scheckter galloped to the drivers' crown in the car of the Prancing Horse. Schumacher said that they have done a severe job in getting the car ready and everything is in place now so it's up to them to succeed. He said that they have prepared themselves well and that he is pretty confident that they have a good package and should be in the position to fight for the championship.
Schumacher said that the only bad surprise is if another team has found that 'Golden Stone', a technical advantage which nobody else has thought of, but said that he doesn't think that will happen. He said that they came so close last year when people didn't expect them to and without the car they have now.
Schumacher said however that he realise there are always people who will want him to fail. He said that Jerez will always be a black spot on jis image, but that he hope there will be more positive moments in the future and that people will judge them and the ones that came before to be more important.
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Webber plans to be in F1 within two years
(c)M-WEB
19:00 GMT
Location : Melbourne
Australian racer Mark Webber will come under close scrutiny from the Tyrrell Formula One team this year as he campaigns a Mercedes CLK-GTR in the world sportscar championship.
British American Racing boss, Craig Pollock who now runs the Tyrrell team, said that he had already talked to Webber, who plans to be in F1 within two years. Pollock said on Wednesday that he has met Mark twice and they've had very good discussions, and said that Webber is quite an impressive young man.
Pollock said that Webber will be someone they'll be intending to keep their eye on, whether it's for British American Racing and Formula One or whether it's for junior teams they may be trying to start up in the future.
21 Year-old Mark Webber, from Queanbeyan near Canberra, made an auspicous open wheeler debut in Europe last year by winning Rookie of the Year in the British Formula Three Championship. Webber's performance won him a contract with Mercedes Benz to contest all rounds of the GT Sportscar Championship in 1998 and probably the Le Mans 24 Hour race. According to sources, Webber will be running demonstration laps in the Mercedes at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park this weekend.
Tyrrell will line up on the Formula One grid in 1998 boosted by another Australian, designer Malcolm Oastler. Pollock said British American Racing was delighted to have enticed Oastler to the new team in the face of big-money offers from high-profile rival outfits. He said that Oastler has been head-hunted by Ferrari and McLaren and a few other teams to join them and has been offered millions of dollars to go there.
Pollock said that Oastler luckily decided to come to the British American Racing team, which they find extremely exciting. According to reports, Oastler has been heading up Reynard design teams for quite a few years and has been making all the top cars for Reynard - IndyCars, Formula Three and Formula 3000.
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(c)M-WEB
19:00 GMT
Location : Melbourne
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has reduced the speed of the new 1998 Formula One cars with grooved tyres which don't have the adhesion of 1997's slicks tyres, and with narrower bodies. Most drivers believe the changes are sacrilegious because they drag them back from the edge, they believe their year of living dangerously will become a season of monotonous rotation.
The FIA disagrees however and says the cars will be sliding more, drivers will have to work harder to keep them on line and all this will mean a better spectacle for the fans.
But world champion, Jacques Villeneuve feels he has been robbed of racing's need to find the brink and see how long you can balance on it. He said that in 1997, you sometimes had to go beyond your human limit to reach the limit of the car, so it's taken away from the driving. He said that it's still a sport where you have to be the best if you want to win and the better driver will make the difference but it's taken away a little bit from what racing is all about.
Villeneuve said that when you're young and you want to race and you want to push the envelope and go to the edge and go beyond what you believe is possible, they've gone backwards a little bit now, that's all. He said that he doesn't think we'll see the better drivers with these regulations because now it's easy to reach the limit of the car which happens before you reach your own human limit.
Villeneuve recently said that he loves the feeling when you're right on the edge and pushing it. He said that the greatest pleasure is when you're going through a corner and the car gets very light, maybe sliding a bit, and you hold it there. He said that you're really on the limit then, you can feel it and you're controlling it. He added that you wonder how far you can push it, and if you might crash.
Villeneuve said that he reckon the new rules have levelled everything downwards so a mediocre driver could have a better chance of driving properly.
Sunday's first race of the 1998 season at Melbourne, Australia will lay bare the potential of the competing teams and their ability to cope with the new rules.
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Villeneuve determined to start in style
(c)REUTERS
12:50 GMT
By Timothy Collings
Location: MELBOURNE
Twelve months after crashing out of the Australian Grand Prix on the opening lap, world champion Jacques Villeneuve returns to the Albert Park circuit on Sunday determined to start the 1998 season in style.
Villeneuve, who won his first world drivers' title after surviving a collision with Michael Schumacher's Ferrari in Jerez last October, wants to show his authority immediatly on the track where he made his Formula One debut.
Twice in succession, Villeneuve has won pole position for the Melbourne race on the part-permanent and part-street track around a lake in the tree-lined park.
But the Williams driver has yet to win and hopes the introduction of new technical regulations, bringing in grooved tyres and narrow-track cars, will change his fortunes.
On Wednesday, as the teams and drivers continued to arrive for the season-opening race, the Canadian bristled with ambition as he looked ahead to the 58-laps event and his first on-track confrontation with German Schumacher since the fateful European Grand Prix.
"Last year, my race ended after only 500 metres because I had a collision with (Eddie) Irvine," he said. "Hopefully that won't happen this year. I have not won in Australia and, of course, I want to.
"Two years ago, I started well in qualifying, but the race didn't turn out so well. We had a mechancial failure and I had to slow down to let Damon (Hill) by and that was a bit annoying. But it was my first race, so it was kind of okay."
While Villeneuve has endured a hectic build-up to the new campaign, his diary packed with media and marketing engagements, his great rival Schumacher has kept a much lower profile.
But Williams have proved to have done more testing than Ferrari in the run-up to the opening race and will start as favourites.
Villeneuve's new car, the FW20, has already done more than 2,500 kilometres in testing since it was unveiled at Silverstone on January 28. "We've done a lot of solid and encouraging work with minimal problems," said the team's senior operations manager James Robinson.
"We have been to both Barcelona and Le Castellet, but we have not run against the other top teams in a race situation. So, Melbourne will be our first chance to see if we have done our homework right."
Villeneuve said he was looking foward to the race on one of his favourite circuits. "Somehow it suits me...I always enjoy it. I feel confident and I am really itching to get on with it."
Villeneuve has identified his Williams team mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen as his chief rival this year, and in Sunday's race. The German led last year's race for a long period before retiring with brake problems and wants to put the record straight.
"This is my second year with the team, I feel excited about it and confident about this race. This is my chance and I am going for it," Frentzen said, before adding that he feared a strong challenge this year from both McLaren and Ferrari.
"They have the resources to do well with the new rules and have strong teams and cars, but in the end it could be that the tyres make a big difference."
Since last season, both Benetton and McLaren have switched from Goodyear to Bridgestone tyres while Williams and Ferrari remained loyal to the American supplier.
Early test results suggested Bridgestone's were the most impressive grooved tyres and that McLaren's line-up of Briton David Coulthard, last year's winner, and Finn Mika Hakkinen would be among the favourites for Sunday's race on the 5.269-kms track.
Schumacher, struggling with a heavy cold, and his Ferrari team mate Irvine are expected to be strong challengers with Benetton's new duo of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and Austrian Alexander Wurz also capable of a bold bid for victory.
Following the rule changes, it is difficult for anyone to predict the outcome, but 1996 champion Damon Hill of Britian, now with Jordan after switching from Arrows, has suggested it is unlikely anyone outside the 'big four' teams has much chance of victory.
"The first race is always the hardest and I would not like to make any predictions about our performance," said Hill.
"But I would say it is a long shot for us -- though that does not mean we cannot go out looking for victory. The car is reliable which is impressive in itself when you consider we have a new engine on top of the regulation changes."
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(c)M-WEB
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
A group of 30 protestors stormed the entrance gates in the latest incident at Albert Park, which will host Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. They protest because 1000 trees were knocked down to make way for the venue.
Security was tightened on Wednesday to prevent the protestors from entering the track. They stormed the safety cordons and cut through the wire fencing.
One protestor confronted F1 drivers and pit crews on the main straight before he was removed by security guards, according to reports. Another chained himself to the wall of the Ferrari garage, but was removed by the team's mechanics.
According to the police 13 protestors got into the circuit, including three women who posed as guests attending a charity function. Half a dozen cut a hole in a wire fence.
Inspector Michael Reid of the Force Response Unit, said, "There were no arrests, and all were quickly evicted from the ground. There will be a very high police presence on entrance gates and inside the Grand Prix track when practice sessions start tomorrow."
A Giant video screen collapsed when its scaffolding gave way. A safety inspection is underway to investigate other video screens around the track.
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Prost face last-day crash test
(c)REUTERS
08:30 GMT
Location: MELBOURNE
The Prost Grand Prix team said on Wednesday they had not yet passed all the mandatory crash tests of their cars before Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Team spokesperson Christine Marquilie told Reuters that one test -- the lateral impact test -- remained and a car was expected to undergo the test in Britain on Thursday.
This test, if passed successfully, would enable the cars to take part in Sunday's race at Albert Park.
"(Team chief Alain Prost) is sure that the car is excellent and that there will be no problems with the lateral impact test," she said.
It was also rumoured in the paddock at Melbourne on Wednesday that another team had yet to pass all the tests.
A year ago, Sauber had to pass crash tests on their cars just 24 hours before practice began for the Grand Prix.
Crash testing has been tightened under regulations brought in this season as the protection offered in Formula One cars to drivers is increased.
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Schumacher seeks centenary present for Ferrari
(c)REUTERS
08:30 GMT
By Gideon Long
Location: ROME
If Enzo Ferrari were alive, he would be celebrating his 100th birthday this year.
If Michael Schumacher were looking for the perfect birthday present, he would have to look no further than the Formula One driver's title.
After pushing Jacques Villeneuve all the way to the now infamous final race of the 1997 campaign, Schumacher knows 1998 is his make-or-break year with the resurgent Italian team.
Ferrari, thirsty for success in the centenary year of their founding father, have run out of excuses.
A failure to win the drivers' or the constructors' title this year will be deemed a failure far greater than Schumacher's ignoble defeat at Jerez last year, when he spun out after shunting Villeneuve's Williams.
It is now 19 long years since Jody Scheckter won the team's last drivers' title.
"We have the best structure, a complete staff and organisation and the best driver in the world," team president Luca di Montezemolo said at the launch of the team's F300 car in January.
"Three years ago, if you had asked me if we could win the world championship I would have said no. Now Ferrari are once again protagonists and our aim in 1998 is nothing less than to win the world championship."
These brave words have been backed by hard work.
Since its glitzy launch, the F300 has been taken for a 7,000-kilometre high-speed spin on the race tracks of Spain and Italy as Ferrari have endeavoured to provide Schumacher with a world-beating car.
It has been tested more intensively than any other Ferrari Formula One car of the past five seasons but this has been done away from the prying eyes of rival teams.
Initial trials in Spain were worrying. The car was plagued by testing problems and both Schumacher and team mate Eddie Irvine of Britain came back to the pits with a host of complaints, requests and suggestions.
After a gruelling two-week session at Italy's Mugello circuit, Schumacher proclaimed himself ready to head off to Melbourne for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix -- the opening round in what looks likely to be a hard-fought tussle with Williams and Maclaren.
"I'm happy," Schumacher told reporters. "the F300's drivability is perfect. It's a pleasure to drive.
"The Australian Grand Prix will be a surprise for everyone," he added. "We've hit all the targets we set ourselves before testing and I'm happy with the results but I know nothing about the way things are going for the other teams. All will be revealed in Melbourne."
The Ferrari is fitted with Goodyear tyres, grooved to meet stringent new safety regulations. They reportedly caused the drivers some problems in early tests and both McLaren and Benetton have shown fine form on their Bridgestones.
Schumacher refused to be drawn on the issue: "I hope it'll be a good year in every sense of the word."
History always hangs heavy over the Ferrari stable, and the fact 1998 marks the anniversary of Enzo Ferrari's birth places extra pressure on Schumacher, Irvine and their technical back-up, marshalled once again by the highly-respected Jean Todt.
Ferrari was a sprightly 81-year-old with nine years left to live when South African Scheckter last gave the prancing horse a world champion driver.
Four years later the team won their eighth and most recent constructors' title but, after that, disappointment followed disappointment.
In 1988, the year Enzo Ferrari died, the team managed just one Grand Prix victory. For three straight seasons between 1991 and 1993 they did not even manage that.
Only after a wholesale overhaul at Maranello, and only after Schumacher joined them in 1996, has the world's most glamorous motor racing team dared dream of emulating the successes of Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Alberto Ascari and -- the greatest Ferrari driver of them all -- Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio.
Three victories in his first season gave Schumacher grounds for cautious optimism.
His five wins last year, combined with Irvine's five podium finishes, have allowed Ferrari to believe they can give Enzo Ferrari a posthumous birthday present.
Days after the anniversary of Ferrari's birth last month, Schumacher's daughter celebrated her first birthday.
"We showered her with presents," her father said. "I always do every time I come home.
Asked what he hoped to bring back from Melbourne, Schumacher said: "A trophy for Gina Maria. I'll try to bring her the best one I can find."
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Pollock aims to bid for top drivers
(c)M-WEB
6:00 GMT
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Tyrrell's new team owner, Craig Pollock said he aims to have a suitable package by the middle of this year, but admits it will be hard work. Once he has accomplish that goal, he can bid for top F1 drivers, such Villeneuve and Schumacher.
Pollock has known Villeneuve for 15 years and is his manager, but finds it difficult at the moment because he runs a rival team.
Tyrrell will cease to exist at the end of this year, when its name will be changed to British American Racing.
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Tyre war set to dominate Formula One
(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
The tension is building ahead of the Formula One season opener in Melbourne, nowhere more than in the tyre war between Bridgestone and Goodyear.
World champion Jacques Villeneuve and chief rival Michael Schumacher agree the battle between the Japanese and American tyre companies could be crucial in the outcome of the 1998 championship.
Both drivers will be racing on Goodyear tyres this year and are fearful that the impressive pre-season testing pace of the McLarens, on Bridgestone tyres, is a warning of what lies ahead.
When asked who he thought his chief challengers would be this year, Villeneuve said: "McLaren, purely because of their Bridgestone tyres. Maybe Benetton too for the same reason. They now have the upper hand, but Goodyear is working hard. We should be there soon."
Schumacher echoed the Canadian's comments by hinting his confidence about winning the championship had been dented after testing.
"There are two top teams, McLaren and Benetton, on Bridgestones," said Schumacher. "That could lead to some unpleasant surprises and that is why I don't see the title as a duty, more as a goal."
The tyre equation has been far harder to work out with the introduction of grooved tyres by FIA, the sport's ruling body. It hopes less grip will mean more overtaking and more excitement for spectators.
Goodyear used to rely on their vast knowledge of slick tyres to maintain an advantage, but these tyres are now banned and it is thought unlikely that just one tyre manufacturer is going to dominate in 1998.
But that is not to say that Goodyear are taking Bridgestone's threat lightly in their last season in Formula One, as their project racing engineer Graham Ball explained.
"It has concentrated our minds and spurred on the development process," he said. "For sure we have upped our development since Bridgestone's arrival but we are absolutely relishing the challenge -- so long as we keep on winning."
That was certainly the case in 1997 when Goodyear won all 17 Grands Prix to make 361 victories in total. This year, they are not expecting the same clean sweep.
"We had all the quick cars last season and should have dominated. This time Bridgestone have acquired McLaren, who have won the second most races in the sport, and Benetton, who have experience of winning world championships.
"They have got more competitive cars and, from a tyre point of view, it makes things very interesting. We both have equivalent types of competitive cars," Ball said.
Goodyear announced in November that 1998 would be their last season in Formula One.
It said the regulation changes, which made grand prix tyres less relevant to the company's consumer clients, and the ever-rising costs of participating in the sport were behind its decision.
McLaren immediately said they were switching to Bridgestone and Benetton announced a similar move when launching their B198 car in January.
Bridgestone's pedigree of success has been proved in categories outside of Formula One. They have dominated the American Indycar series and have won titles in Formula 3000 and touring cars. Last year, their first in Formula One, they supplied four teams.
"It is fortunate for us that by entering Formula One last year we were able to gather plenty of data on each of the circuits," said Bridgestone technical director Hirohide Hamashima.
Bridgestone denies they are using any data brought to them by teams which have swapped from Goodyear. But they do not underplay how useful it is to work with two of the big teams in the sport.
"One day's testing with McLaren yielded more information than we had been able to expect in three days last year. You could say that in 1997 we had the bullets; while this year we have the bullets and the machine gun."
Whether Goodyear's decision to pull out will affect their devotion to winning remains to be seen, but few are yet willing to make any firm predictions.
"It is difficult at the start of the season," concluded Ball. "You never know the conditions that the teams have tested in and they like to keep their performance close to their chest."
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Tyrrell - facts, figures, drivers
(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
Following are facts and figures about the Tyrrell team ahead of the 1998 Formula One season:
Formula One record:
Starts - 416
Poles - 14
Wins - 23
Constructors' titles - 2
1997 season - 10th with two points
History: 1960 - Tyrrell Racing established by Ken Tyrrell.
1968 - Formula One debut, winning first race at Dutch grand prix.
1969 - Jackie Stewart wins world drivers' championship in Matra car.
1971 - Stewart, driving the new Tyrell-Ford, wins second drivers' title.
1973 - Stewart captures drivers' crown for the third time.
1983 - In Detroit Michele Alboreto wins Tyrrell's last Formula One victory to date.
1997 - British American Racing purchases team. Ken Tyrrell quits in early 1998.
Prospects for the 1998 season -
Tyrrell 026 powered by version of Ford V-10 used by Stewart last season, Goodyear tyres.
Final year under the Tyrrell name for this famous team before it re-casts next year under the banner of British American Racing. Success has proved elusive for 15 years and this season is unlikely to see the cash-strapped 30-year-old outfit shrug off its tag of also-rans. Drivers Ricardo Rosset of Brazil and Japan's Toro Takagi lack experience, while the Ford engine proved its lack of reliability at Stewart last season.
Drivers:
Toro Takagi - Aged 24, Japanese. Former test driver nicknamed 'Tiger' with no previous Formula One experience. Very much an unknown quantity, but has impressed with surprisingly quick times in testing. Has shown an unfortunate habit of crashing.
Ricardo Rosset - Aged 29, Brazilian. Races: 16, wins 0, poles 0. Like Takagi, a paying driver. Made his only Formula One appearance last year for the Lola team in Melbourne, and the sabbatical is unlikely to have done him much good. Best performances came in 1996 when he finished seventh in both Brazil and Portugal.
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Stewart - facts, figures, drivers
(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
Following are facts and figures about the Stewart team ahead of the 1998 Formula One season:
Formula One record:
Starts - 17
Poles - 0
Wins - 0
1997 season - ninth with six points
History -
1996 - Former triple world champion Jackie Stewart announces setting up new team in his name.
1997 - Makes Formula One debut in Australian Grand Prix.
1997 - Ended debut season ninth in contructors' championship.
Prospects for the 1998 season -
SF2 powered by Ford Zetec-R V10, Bridgestone tyres.
Debut season last year hampered by unreliable Ford engine. Ford have since developed the new V10 and it should prove more trustworthy, though testing only started in December and team admits would like to have done more. Stewart are expected to aim for consistent finishes rather than eye-catching wins, mindful no doubt that history shows second seasons are notoriously poor for Formula One newcomers. Appropriately the driver line-up - Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is 25 and Jan Magnussen - is also youthful.
Drivers:
Rubens Barrichello - Aged 25, Brazilian. Races 81, poles 1, wins 0. Went a little stale at Jordan after exploding onto the Formula One scene in 1993 but has been revitalised by the Stewart family atmosphere. If the team comes up with a reliable car, Barrichello undoubtedly has the talent to get in among the big boys. Highlights last year included finishing second in Monaco and qualifying third fastest for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Jan Magnussen - Aged 24, Danish. Races 18, poles 0, wins 0. Lack of Formula One experience saw him struggling up a very steep learning curve last year but the Dane recovered well after a poor first half of the season. Knows that he will be expected to fulfil some of his undoubted potential from the off this time round. Showed what he can do in Austria last season by qualifying sixth.
Result of votes will be available on Wednesday. | 1998 Australian channel.[ Click here ] | |
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Arrows - facts, figures, drivers
(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
Following are facts and figures about the Arrows team ahead of the 1998 Formula One season:
Formula One record:
Starts - 305
Poles - 1
Wins - 0
1997 season - eighth with nine points
History -
1978 - Formula One debut at Brazilian Grand Prix.
1988 - Finished fourth in constructors' championship.
1996 - Tom Walkinshaw takes over control of team.
1997 - John Barnard appointed technical director.
Prospects for the 1998 season -
Arrows A19 powered by Hart V10, Bridgestone tyres.
Owner Walkinshaw will hope for an improvement on last year's poor showing when unreliability caused bust-up with former champion Damon Hill. But podium finishes are again likely to be the exception rather than the rule. Money saved by Hill's departure spent on completely new car with Barnard-designed chassis and own-brand engine, though little testing has been carried out. Plenty of talent behind the wheel in the form of Brazilian Pedro Diniz and especially Finland's Mika Salo. But neither has a grand prix win to his name yet and few would bet on them breaking their duck this year.
Drivers:
Mika Salo - Aged 31, Finnish. Races 52, poles 0, wins 0. The former Tyrell driver remains an as yet unfulfilled talent, known for his skill at nursing cars. Earned only two points last year for Tyrell, but dragged the car to the finish eight times out of 17. Made his Formula One debut in 1994, taking his Lotus to a remarkable 10th place. Drove for Tyrrell in 1995 and 1996.
Pedro Diniz - Aged 27, Brazilian. Races 50, wins 0, poles 0. Performed well as Damon Hill's understudy last year, occasionally outqualifying the former world champion. Lacks consistency on the track, with a tendency to make unforced errors. Pays his own way in part, so his low wage bill makes him an attractive option for the lower budget teams. Made his debut with Forti team in 1995 and drove for Ligier in 1996.
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Sauber - facts, figures, drivers
(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
Following are facts and figures about the Sauber team ahead of the 1998 Formula One season:
Formula One record:
Starts - 81
Poles - 0
Wins - 0
1997 season - seventh with 16 points
History -
1977 - First Sauber car entered in Le Mans 24-hour race.
1989 - Sauber wins sports car title and Le Mans.
1993 - enters Formula One championship.
Prospects for the 1998 season -
Sauber C17 powered by Ferrari-based Sauber Petronas SPE01D, Goodyear tyres.
Little reason to expect this season to be any different for Sauber, winning points here and there but rarely threatening to win. Reliable car but engine not likely to set circuits alight. Removal of team director Max Welti came as shock over the winter and strong rumours recently retired Gerhard Berger will take some role in team. Interesting driver pairing in Johnny Herbert and Jean Alesi, the most experienced on the grid with 248 races between them. Herbert won sole number one last season but will be happy to have testing load lessened by Alesi's arrival.
Johnny Herbert - Aged 33, British. Races 113, poles 0, wins 2. Solid, efficient driver who gives 100 percent. Carried the full load at Sauber last season due to lack of regular co-driver. Took third place in Hungary. Won two races in two seasons with Benetton, where he was in partnership with Michael Schumacher, but has slipped down the ratings with Sauber. Started career in 1989 and is also winner of Le Mans 24-hour race.
Jean Alesi - Aged 33, France. Races 135, wins 1, poles 2. Highly rated for many years but he has yet to fulfil his undoubted talent. Had good season in 1997 with Benetton which saw him finish fourth overall, including four second places. Known as a volatile character in and out of the cockpit but could not be faulted for consistency last season. In a perfect world his emotional drive would complement Herbert's level-headedness but their equal status might crack under pressure.
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Prost - facts, figures, drivers
(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
Following are facts and figures about the Prost team ahead of the 1998 Formula One season:
Formula One record:
Starts (as Ligier and Prost) - 343
Poles - nine
Wins - nine
1997 season - Sixth with 21 points.
History - Made debut in 1997 season after takeover of Ligier team by team led by former world champion Alain Prost.
Ligier founded in 1976 by French rugby star and former Formula One amateur Guy Ligier.
Prospects for the 1998 season:
Prost Peugeot AP01 powered by Peugeot A16 engine. Bridgestone tyres.
Made impressive debut last season but bad crash which sidelined Olivier Panis for three months after Canadian Grand Prix knocked team badly. 1998 car is first of the Prost era, breaking links with Ligier past. Car bears Prost's initials and has swapped Mugen-Honda engine for a Peugeot. Also has new gearbox which been problematic in testing. Was best performer on Bridgestone tyres last season. Team base is being moved to Paris which could be disruptive but Prost is confident he can make a real impact this year and has the money to do it.
Drivers: Olivier Panis - Aged 31, French. Races 59, poles 0, wins 1. Made remarkable comeback after breaking both legs in last year's Canadian Grand Prix. Had finished third in Brazil and second in Barcelona before the crash. Steady rather than spectacular driver who will be pushed hard by Jarno Trulli. Drove three seasons with Ligier before carrying on with Prost.
Jarno Trulli - Aged 23, Italian. Races 14, poles 0, wins 0. Former go-karting star is tipped for a great future after getting his chance with Prost when Panis was injured. Made seven appearances for Minardi before moving to Prost. Secured fourth place in the German Grand Prix and led race in Austria before engine failed. Has panache but needs to drive according to track.
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(c)REUTERS
5:20 GMT
Location: LONDON
Following are facts and figures for Minardi Formula One motor racing team:
Formula One record -
Starts - 205
Poles - 0
Wins - 0
1997 season - zero points
History -
1985 - First grand prix in Brazil
Best finish - fourth, twice in 1991, once in 1993.
Best finish in constructors' championship - seventh in 1991.
M198 powered by Ford-Zetec V10 engine, Bridgestone tyres.
The underfunded minnow in the Formula One pond, Minardi can expect little improvement on their pointless 1997 season. Likely to prop up the grid not least because of their untried drivers' line-up.
Drivers:
Shinji Nakano - Aged 26, Japanese. Races 17, poles 0, wins 0. Joined from Prost where he made his debut last year. Best results were sixth in the Canadian and Hungarian Grands Prix. Solid, paying driver. Came to Europe after five seasons F3 and F3000 racing in Japan. Son of Formula Three driver Tsuneji Nakano.
Esteban Tuero - Aged 19, Argentine
Makes his Formula One debut this season after test driving for Minardi last season. Only reached 2,000-km of lap time required for F1 licence in final testing session last month. Son of Formula Two driver Eduardo Tuero. Came to Italy in 1995 after winning junior championships in native Argentina.
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