April 28 1996
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's no smoke without fire".....
Jordan Want To Win
Ligier Blamed For Diniz Fire
European GP Preview
Hill Not Complacent
Panis Crashes In Testing
Ferrari Gearbox Latest
New Tyrrell For Salo
Fisichella Back
Brundle Extra Testing
Collard Testing
Sospiri Testing
New Teams Roundup
Jordan Want To Win
Eddie Jordan has again emphasised that he wants to win races this year. He wants to finish fourth in the constructors cup this year, and be in a position to challenge for the title as soon as possible.
The FIA investigation into the fire that engulfed Pedro Diniz has found that Ligier failed to maintain their refuelling equipment properly. An incorrectly fitted component caused a valve to jam open, which led to the fuel spillage under braking. The FIA have said that future incidents of this nature will result in disciplinary proceedings.
The GP circus has arrived in Europe. Many people regard this as the start of the GP season and it is usually a time when the constructors start to modify their cars. This year Damon Hill enters the European leg with a massive 18 point advantage. He has looked in good form so far this season but the Nurburgring has never seen a Williams finish first. Hill will be hoping he can rectify that this weekend. Ferrari will be hoping that Michael Schumacher can pull out a winning performance similar to last years race when he beat Alesi into second place in a thrilling race.The Nurburgring has perhaps the most varied weather of any circuit and the race could be a mixture of wet and dry. The Nurburgring that is used these days is a purpose built 2.822 mile circuit. It is the namesake of the most daunting race track ever used in Formula 1. The original 'ring' was just over 14 miles long.
Damon Hill has said that he expects the competition to get closer to the Williams making it harder for them to win. But he added "We will not be complacent".
Olivier Panis left the Circuit Paul Armagnac (Nogaro) at 120 mph and hit a tyre wall badly damaging his Ligier. He got himself out of the car, but was then air lifted to the nearby hospital for examination. He is fine and has been released.
Ferrari are still testing their new gearbox and are hoping that it will be used in this weekends GP. Schumacher is expected to continue testing until tomorrow evening (Thursday). Schumacher has said that he hopes for a podium finish, which he would class as a success. Winning is unrealistic because of the strength of the Williams and Benetton cars.
Mika Salo will have a new toy to play with this weekend, as he gets the latest version of the 024. A new cockpit profile , rear suspension enhancements and a new undertray form the bulk of the changes. Katayama has the old model, but with new front suspension.
Giancarlo Fisichella is back in the Minardi, he will drive at the Nurburgring and at Imola. Taki Inoue's chances of a drive this season are getting slimmer every day.
Martin Brundle has been testing by himself to get better handling from his Jordan. He has problems with the rear end of his car and his test session was an opportunity to remedy the cars handling. He likes to attack corners fast and needs a car with good grip at the back.
Emmanuel Collard has been testing the Tyrrell at Silverstone. He completed 29 laps including pit stops and a standing start.
Not to be outdone by the Tyrrell test driver, Vincenzo Sospiri had his first run in the Benetton. He completed 64 laps over two days. His times on the Sunday run were 0.3 seconds behind Frentzen.
I thought it was about time to run through the new teams that might appear in F1 over the next two seasons.
DAMS.
Currently preparing their F1 car and were hoping to begin testing this summer. They nearly entered this year but missed the FIA deadline.
DOME
This new Japanese F1 team with Mugen Honda engines are set to start serious testing in Britain and France this summer. Almost certain to enter next year
DURANGO
They are hoping to be running in F1 trim by June. The team is expected to use Hart engines and plan to enter next year, as long as sponsorship deals are in place etc. etc.
HONDA
Set to make their comeback as a Formula1 constructor. The Honda car is said to be aiming for a 1998 debut. The engine team have been using the Mugen Honda program to train young engineers, who will be put to good use when the team enters in '98.
LOLA
Keith Wiggins (MD of Pacific) is overseeing the financial side of Lola's return to F1. They have been testing hybrids and are hoping to enter next year.
STEWART GP
With backing from Ford and father Jackie Stewart, PSR (Paul Stewart Racing) are set to enter as an F1 team under the Stewart name. They will have an exclusive deal with Ford, forcing Sauber to look elsewhere or take customer engines.
