F1 News Leader
Date: 16 August 1997, 19:00 GMT
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F1 News Leader |
Date: 16 August 1997, 19:00 GMT |
Shakedown for Belgium
Location: Maranello
Friday at Fiorano, Nicola Larini shook down the three cars which Scuderia Ferrari - Marlboro will use in the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix on 24th August at the Spa - Francorchamps circuit.
Larini completed a total of 25 laps; 10 in chassis 175 (T-car,) 9 with 179 (Schumacher's race car) and 6 with 173 (Irvine's race car.) His best time of the day was 1m 03.359s. The F 310 B which Michael Schumacher will use in Belgium will have the same type of chassis he used in practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was then damaged in an off track excursion during the warm-up.
Tyrrell preview
The Tyrrell team returns to the stunning Spa-Francorchamps circuit for next weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, round 12 of the 1997 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Set amongst the densely wooded Ardennes hills, Spa is the longest circuit visited by Formula 1 -- the track climbs and plunges through the forests for almost 7 kilometres -- and the third fastest after Monza and Hockenheim. F1 cars will reach more than 300kph twice during that lap and the Belgian arena has been the scene of many classic battles and sensational Grands Prix in the past.
Harvey Postlethwaite, Managing Director - Engineering: "As a team we like Spa. It's a picturesque, enjoyable venue and one of the most challenging circuits of the season. Over and above that it's a circuit where we've often performed very well. Although it's a track where you do need plenty of power, we think we'll be able to perform well this year. It's Jos' home event so there's added pressure on him and we know he'll rise to the occasion.
"We will approach the Belgian race with extra care to ensure we make the correct tyre choice which probably means we'll have to modify our race strategy a little bit. At some recent races we haven't got that choice absolutely right. With no testing at Spa, that choice is made harder by the relative lack of time in practice to make a very crucial choice in often changing conditions.
"We've got a small improvement in our Ford engines which is encouraging. These 'Spa-spec' engines as we call them benefit from some cylinder-head development work and are producing a little more power. Last year at Spa both Tyrrell cars came home strongly in 7th and 8th positions -- on the same lap as the winning Ferrari. This year I hope we can do as well and maybe even score some points."
Mika Salo: "Spa is without doubt the best circuit in the Championship. It's great to drive round in any car -- almost in any weather. So I'm looking forward eagerly to going back to Belgium. After Hungary, which I want to forget, I'm fired up to do well and make it up to the team. Tyrrell always has a good race at Spa, partly because the weather is always mixed and our race tactics are excellent. We only just missed out on scoring points last year and I'll be trying 110% to score this time out."
Jos Verstappen: "This race is like a 'home' Grand Prix for me and they tell me that over 30,000 Dutch fans will be in the crowd on Sunday. Spa is absolutely my favourite track, the very best circuit in the world and the down-then-up charge through Eau Rouge Corner is just the most amazing experience in an F1 car. The only problem can be the weather and the way it can change totally during a single lap. I claimed a podium position at Spa in 1994 and hope to get into the points for Tyrrell this time."
Tyrrell's Deputy Technical Director, Mike Gascoyne has prepared a computer simulation of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, "Spa is one of the few great circuits left on the modern GP calendar. It's a circuit where there has to be a critical trade off between aerodynamic downforce and drag because of its mix of features. There are very demanding high-speed corners like Eau Rouge and long uphill straights that put the emphasis on outright speed.
"it's a track where getting a good balance on the car will make a very big difference to lap times. Often the weather is rapidly changeable and the long lap can leave the circuit part-wet, part-dry -- and that makes racing there a tough challenge. The circuit's not particularly heavy on brakes, we run a medium downforce set-up, and the average speed is close to 135mph [218kph]. The final tyre choice will be critical and most teams will adopt a two-stop race strategy."
The Belgian Grand Prix is round 12 of the 1997 FIA Formula 1 World Championship and will be held on the 6.968 km / 4.329 mile Spa circuit, 50km south-east of Liege. The race Will be over 44 laps, starting at 14.00 hrs local time (13.00 hrs UK time) on Sunday August 24. Total race distance will be 306.592 kms / 190.507 miles. Alain Prost set the lap record at 1 min 51.095sec back in 1993 with his Williams-Renault.
Tyrrell fends off Wolf at the door
Ken Tyrrell has turned down an offer for his team from seventies F1 boss Walter Wolf. Wolf, the Austro-Canadian oil magnate who took over Frank Williams' operation in the mid-seventies, was keen to buy a controlling interest in the Ockham operation, which has already been linked with a BAT/Reynard 'superteam' this season.
Tyrrell admitted that Wolf had been in contact several times in recent months, but said that he had shut the door to negotiation.
'Walter Wolf wrote to me last week and made me an offer,' said Tyrrell. ' I refused it, because the team is not for sale and it is going to stay that way.' Wolf closed down his own team in 1979 and has not attended a race for seven years, but is still believed to be keen to buy an existing set-up.
Montoya linked to Stewart GP
FORMULA 3000 frontrunner Juan Pablo Montoya is being hotly tipped to graduate to F1 as Stewart's test driver next year.
The Columbian, twice a race winner in this year's FIA F3000 Championship, has attracted the attention of several teams but is thought to be closer to a Stewart deal than any other. However, Montoya is also known to have had discussions with Jordan in Hungary last weekend, though Jordan has just signed a test deal with Montoya's F3000 adversary Ricardo Zonta.
"I have talked to people, but it is still to early to say anything," said Montoya, who does not want to race in F3000 for a second season. "I've got to concentrate on F3000 for the moment and at the end of the season I'll see what I've got.
Magnussen must press to impress
Jan Magnussen must finish this season strongly if he is to remain at Stewart GP, according to team principal Jackie Stewart.
Magnussen retired in Hungary for the 10th time this season with accident damage after a first corner shunt, adding to rumours that he could be replaced next year. Stewart has acknowledged that the majority of the 24-year-old Dane's retirements have not been his fault, but is known to be disappointed by Magnussen's failure to match team-mate Rubens Barrichello, something he attributes partly to the former British F3 champion's two years in Class One touring cars.
"Jan has had a difficult season, but he has taken a lot of time to get going," said Stewart. "It's not out of the question that he will stay next year, because he is improving. But we cannot afford to effectively have a one-car team." Magnussen indicated that he would like to remain at Stewart, where he would most likely team up with Barrichello again.
"We're certainly very happy with Rubens. He has performed well all year," said team MD Paul Stewart.
MINARDI CELEBRATES 200th GRAND PRIX AT SPA
Minardi returns to Spa this year celebrating its 200th Grand Prix. Since the team's Formula 1 debut in 1985 an impressive list of 17 drivers have raced for the team. Amongst them Michele Alboreto, Alessandro Nannini, Pierluigi Martini and the two new rising starts of this year, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. Minardi's best result in the constructors championship was in 1991 when the Ferrari-powered monocoques driven by Martini and Morbidelli took the team to seventh place.
Looking back over the last 200 Grands Prix, Gian Carlo Minardi explains: From the start when we were only 30 people until today the team has always been part of my family. Our only win was in 1981 with Alboreto when we were competing in Formula 2 and that experience was sensational.
Our 200th Grand Prix is a milestone in the team's life. My biggest regret about Formula 1 is that in the past it was possible for a small team like ours to win a race during the season. Unfortunatley this is no longer possible. Nevertheless, my objective is always to improve our performance from one race to the next.
Ukyo Katayama: Spa is one of my favourite circuits and after my strong performance in Hungary I feel more confident that our results will improve. To be part of a team celebrating its 200th race is a great honour.
Tarso Marques: I feel very proud of being a part of Minardi for its 200th Grand Prix. Although I have never raced in Spa in Formula 1 I have raced here in F3000 back in 1995 when I finished fifth. For this race I won't have to learn the track as it hasn't changed so that will be a great help.
Brian Hart: I have fond memories of Spa because a Hart-powered car qualified on pole position in 1994. The track is very fast so it doesn't necessarily suit our V8, but with the traditionally unpredictable weather and Bridgestone tyres I reckon our result should be similar to Hungary.
The Belgian Grand Prix is the 12th round of the 1997 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The Circuit de Spa Francorchamps is 4.329miles/6.968 kilometres long with a total race distance of 190.507 miles/ 306.592 kilometres (44 laps). The race will take place on Sunday 24 August at 14.00 (local time)/13.00 (UK time). Alain Prost holds the lap record - 1 min 51.095 sec (1993). Last year's winner was Michael Schumacher (Ferrari).
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