16 February 1998 Issue 3

When was Data recorders used in F1 for the first time?

Formula One cars was fitted with accident data recorders for the first time at the 1997Australian Grand Prix.

The recorders are similar to the black boxes used in airplanes and gathered information about what has happened to the car immediately before and during a crash.

Berger launched new book

Location: Vienna.

Former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger launched his official autobiography in Vienna at the start of December.

The book is called THE FINISHING STRAIGHT and is currently only available in German. They plan to translate it into Italian and English in the near future.

The author, Herbert Volker was also the author of Nikki Lauda's new book, which was also presented at the same function.

Jacques Villeneuve lost his girl.

Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve lost his girl friend, Sandrine recently. Sandrine was very excited by the prospect of being single again.

The breakup came after three years. Sandrine said he never visited her. Villeneuve only visited Canada once since he won the world title, making the Canadians a little aggressive towards him, according to sources there.

BAT's first F1 sponsorship.

BAT's first F1 sponsorship was in 1982 through JPS, when they sponsored Lotus. JPS disappeared from F1 in 1985 and they continued with Arrows, Williams and Jordan through their Barclay brand.

When did Frentzen Join F1?

Williams Formula One driver, Heinz-Harlad Frentzen joined Formula One in 1994 with the Sauber team.

Who was responsible for rear-engines in F1?

Formula One team Cooper was responsible for the switch to rear-engineed cars in Formula One. The move secured two back-to-back world titles for Jack Brabham in 1959 and 1960.