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".....
Hakkinen Given All Clear To Test
Sauber C15 Ready
New Cars Launched
F1 Customer Teams Under Review
Katayama Signs For Tyrrell
Lamy Signs For Minardi
Lola To Return ?
Hakkinen Given All Clear To Test
Mika Hakkinen has been given the all clear by Sid Watkins to restart testing. Mika will need to get back to peak fitness before he can begin testing and it is not clear whether he has enough time to get fit and get enough testing under his belt before the Australian GP in Melbourne. If Mika is not ready in time his place will be taken by test driver Jan Magnussen.
The Sauber team have been testing their new C15 at the circuit Paul Ricard. Some engine problems meant that they could not complete their testing schedule as planned, but FrentzenŐs times were slightly quicker in the new car 1.08.4 compared to his previous times in the C14 1.08.8. Johnny Herbert only managed one lap before having to retire with engine problems. The weather deteriorated and the team packed up.
Many of next seasons cars will be launched in the coming 10 days. The new Ligier JS43 is expected to debut on Monday. Tyrrell should have the 024 out on Tuesday and BenettonŐs B196 is due on February 5. Forti will not have their FG02 ready in time and so they will start the season with a heavily modified FG01 fitted with a new Ford V8.
F1 Customer Teams Under Review
It is possible that customer teams may be allowed back into F1. At the moment FIA rules stipulate that teams must make their own chassis, or have it made by a company that is not racing in F1. The changing of the rule would allow the likes of Williams, McLaren, Benetton, Ferrari and others to sell ready made chassis to smaller teams. Off the shelf engines can be fitted and the car raced.Flavio Briatore commented that with a small team buying the chassis and engine made good sense. "Why employ 90 people, when if you buy a chassis you will get a better car and be able to do the job with only 25 people"Arrows Boss Jackie Oliver believes the move would polarize the grid, with the top teams getting richer from chassis sales, and the small teams getting smaller.
Despite rumours that Taki Inoue would sign for Tyrrell in the wake of their Nokia sponsorship loss, the team have decided to stick with Ukyo Katayama for a second season.
Pedro Lamy has signed for the Minardi team. Pedro took over from Martini in the team and raced in the second half of the season (From Hungary - Australia). His team mate will be named soon, favourite is last years driver Luca Badoer.
It is possible that Lola may be returning to F1 in 1997.Lola are expected to make an announcement shortly.Keith Wiggins (Pacific) has been linked with the Lola team and is rumoured to have been recruited to head the teams return.
