All of the information in this section was obtained from a bloke down the pub, which means that while we believe all the following information to be true, we couldn't swear that it is.
What we will say however, is that usually, "there is no smoke without fire".....
Lotus Officially History
Senna Report Finished
Estoril Testing Times
Berger Crashes During Test Session
Dams Out
Coulthard Impressed With McLaren
Verstappen Testing For Arrows
Lamy In Hospital
Minardi Sign Cosworth Engines Again
Panis To Stay At Ligier ?
The Lotus Grand Prix operation has been formally wound up in a British High Court. The court proceedings were instigated by engine supplier Mugen which is owed 3 Million UKP from 1994 when Mugen engines powered the Lotus cars driven by Herbert, Lamy, Zanardi, Adams, Bernard and Salo. Their best finishes that year were 7th in the Brazilian, Pacific and French Grands Prix. The team had been in receivership since the end of the 94 Italian Grand Prix. 1994 was the last season that Lotus competed in Formula1 and it was also the first time that the team had failed to score a single point. Lotus won the constructors cup seven times (63, 65, 68, 70, 72, 73 and 78). The team contested a total of 490 races of which they won 79. The teams gradual decline coincided with the death of founder Colin Chapman in 1982.The closing of Lotus F1 is not connected, nor will it affect, in any way Lotus Cars or Lotus Engineering which are separate entities.
It has been widely reported that the investigation into the crash at Imola that claimed the life of Ayrton Senna is coming to a close. It is suggested that the 600 page report prepared by Professor Enrico Lorenzini and handed to the Italian magistrate Maurizo Passarini blames poor welding for the crash. The steering column on Senna's car is thought to have snapped due to a badly welded joint, causing the car to continue in a straight line and collide with the circuit wall. It will be up to the courts to decide if the column broke before the crash or as a result of the impact. If it is found that the column did cause the crash then the Williams directors could be convicted of manslaughter and face a two year prison sentence (suspended for four years). The Williams personnel have refused to comment on any aspect of the findings until they are made official.Michael Schumacher had said that the Williams car had been "bottoming out" at Tamburello on the lap before the crash, adding that he had seen the car skip off line on the bumpy corner.
Fastest race lap 1995 David Coulthard 1.23.220
Pole position time 1995 David Coulthard 1.20.537
Michael Schumacher was the fastest man at Estoril earlier this week. Now it's the Williams duo
On Monday Michael managed a best lap of 1.22.14 with Eddie Irvine managing 1.22.99. Both drivers were using the new V10 engine. Schumacher did a total of 52 laps, Irvine completed 37.
The Williams team were absent on Monday due to a fog bound Heathrow airport.On Tuesday Schumacher was again fastest with a time of 1.37.60. The fastest time from Williams came courtesy of Damon Hill who managed 1.37.63. Jacques Villeneuve spun off the circuit while still on slick tyres. Hill was quoted as saying "it is nice to be back in the car, after 3 or 4 weeks away you begin to miss it".
Wednesday morning saw Schumacher post the fastest time of 1.34.62 despite only completing two laps !!. Eddie Irvine managed 1.36.83. Jos Verstappen in the Arrows posted the second fastest time of 1.34.99. Williams hit back in the afternoon with Jacques Villeneuve posting the fastest time of 1.21.01. Hill managed 1.21.57 and Schumacher 1.21.96.
On Thursday the honours went to Damon Hill with a fastest time of 1.19.45, his team mate Villenueve was second quickest with a time of 1.20.75 and Schumacher third fastest in 1.21.33. Rubens Barrichello clocked 1.21.81.Headlines
Berger Crashes During Test Session
Gerhard Berger crashed heavily at Estoril today. His Benetton left the twisty back section of the track at around 110 m.p.h. and went backwards into the safety rails.Berger was unhurt. This is the secons time he has crashed during testing at Estoril
DAMS have confirmed that they will not be competing in the 1996 season. DAMS will continue to develop their prototype car and are still committed to entering the F1 arena. It is possible that they will now use another formula for 96 with a view to moving into F1 in 97. This leaves just 11 teams and 22 cars to compete for the 26 grid places. With the 107% qualifying rule also being applied in 1996 it is possible that some races will start with less than 20 cars !!
Coulthard Impressed With McLaren
David Coulthard has started testing for McLaren and has said that the car is easier to drive than the Williams. "The Williams had a slight edge on power and the chassis but nothing major. It has given me a genuine case to look forward to next year" The testing that David has been carrying out is engine development work.
Jos Verstappen has begun testing the Arrows Footwork FA16 at Estoril. Arrows have yet to confirm their driver lineup for 96. Jos posted the second fastest time on the Wednesday test session (See Estoril Testing Story)
Pedro Lamy has been in hospital this week having further surgery on his legs. He damaged them in a terrible test accident at Silverstone in May 1994.
Minardi Sign Cosworth Engines Again
Minardi and Cosworth have signed a deal for engines in 1996. The team will use the ED2 version until the European leg of the championship when it is expected that they will move to the higher revving ED3 version. Minardi have still not confirmed their driver line up for 96 and you can pick any two from Luca Badoer, Pedro Lamy, Giancarlo Fisichella, Massimiliano Papis and Taki Inoue
Meanwhile at Ligier......Gil de Ferran has confirmed that he will be staying with his Indy Car team. This leaves the number one seat open for Olivier Panis who has a strong case with his late season form. The second seat could be filled by Emmanuel Collard, Pedro Diniz, Vincenzo Sospiri or Kenny Black.
