July 14 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".....
Benetton Lodge Protest
Villeneuve Wins In Style
Ferrari Say No To Hill
Hill Takes Pole
Hill Quickest On Saturday Morning
Forti Still Missing
Villeneuve Quickest On Friday
No Sign Of Forti
Morning Warm Up
Arrows Deal Finalised
Bridgestone Tests Going Well
Fisichella To Race On
Marlboro Back Ferrari
Forti Will Be There
New Parts For Ferrari
Silverstone Preview
Driver Rumours (latest)
Benetton Lodge Protest
Benetton have lodged a formal protest about some of the aerodynamic features of Jacques Villeneuve's Williams Renault.
They contest that the front wing end plates are not the same size, which would be illegal if it proves to be correct. This could see Villeneuve disqualified and Berger awarded the win.
The outcome should be known shortly.
Jacques Villeneuve won the second GP of his short F1 career, getting ahead of Hill at the start and leading into the first corner Jacques never looked back.
Behind him Alesi, Hakkinen and Schumacher all managed to pass Hill who was relegated to fifth place.
Ferrari's recent run of bad luck continued with Schumacher retiring on lap 3 while stuck in 6th gear and Irvine retiring on lap 5 with smoke pouring from the back of his car. Hill spun off on lap 26 when a wheel bearing siezed up and Alesi was also to retire through wheel bearing failure.
Gerhard Berger and Mika Hakkinen completed the podium line up while Barrichello, Coulthard and Brundle completed the top six. Brundle scoring another sixth place despite suffering a puncture.
| 1 | J. Villeneuve | Williams Renault | 1.33.00.874 | |
| 2 | G. Berger | Benetton Renault | + 19.026 | |
| 3 | M. Hakkinen | McLaren Mercedes | + 50.830 | |
| 4 | R. Barrichello | Jordan Peugeot | + 1.06.716 | |
| 5 | D. Coulthard | McLaren Mercedes | + 1.22.507 | |
| 6 | M. Brundle | Jordan Peugeot | + 1 lap | |
| 7 | M. Salo | Tyrrell Yamaha | + 1 lap | |
| 8 | H. H. Frentzen | Sauber Ford | + 1 lap | |
| 9 | J. Herbert | Sauber Ford | + 1 lap | |
| 10 | J. Verstappen | TWR Arrows Hart | + 1 lap | |
| 11 | G. Fisichella | Minardi Ford | + 2 laps | |
| Not Classified | ||||
| J. Alesi | Benetton Renault | lap 44 | Overheating Brakes | |
| O. Panis | Ligier Mugen Honda | lap 40 | Handling | |
| P. Diniz | Ligier Mugen Honda | lap 38 | Engine | |
| D. Hill | Williams Renault | lap 26 | Loose Wheel Nut | |
| P. Lamy | Minardi Ford | lap 21 | Gearbox | |
| R. Rosset | TWR Arrows Hart | lap 13 | Electrics | |
| U. Katayama | Tyrrell Yamaha | lap 12 | Engine | |
| E. Irvine | Ferrari | lap 5 | Differential Bearing | |
| M. Schumacher | Ferrai | lap 3 | Hydraulics |
Ferrari have said that they would not take Damon Hill as a driver when his contract at Williams ends this year.
Damon Hill scored another pole position by again being the only driver under 1.27.000. His team mate finished second fastest for another Williams 1 - 2. Apart from the Ferrari's the teams that test at Silverstone put on the best performances, Hakkinen an impressive fourth ahead of Alesi and Barrichello.
The two Forti cars finally made it onto the track, but with no development testing over the weekend it was no surprise to see both cars spin out of the session.
| 1 | D.Hill | Williams Renault | 1.26.875 |
| 2 | J.Villeneuve | WilliamsRenault | 1.27.070 |
| 3 | M.Schumacher | Ferrari | 1.27.707 |
| 4 | M. Hakkinen | McLaren Mercedes | 1.27.856 |
| 5 | J. Alesi | Benetton Renault | 1.28.307 |
| 6 | R. Barrichello | JordanPeugeot | 1.28.469 |
| 7 | G. Berger | BenettonRenault | 1.28.653 |
| 8 | M. Brundle | JordanPeugeot | 1.28.946 |
| 9 | D.Coulthard | McLarenMercedes | 1.28.966 |
| 10 | E.Irvine | Ferrari | 1.29.186 |
| 11 | H. H.Frentzen | Sauber Ford | 1.29.591 |
| 12 | U.Katayama | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.29.913 |
| 13 | J.Herbert | Sauber Ford | 1.29.947 |
| 14 | M.Salo | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.29.949 |
| 15 | J.Verstappen | TWR ArrowsHart | 1.30.102 |
| 16 | O. Panis | Ligier MugenHonda | 1.30.167 |
| 17 | R. Rosset | TWR ArrowsHart | 1.30.529 |
| 18 | P. Diniz | Ligier MugenHonda | 1.31.076 |
| 19 | G.Fisichella | Minardi Ford | 1.31.365 |
| 20 | P.Lamy | Minardi Ford | 1.31.454 |
Hill Quickest On Saturday Morning
Damon Hill set a blistering lap in the opening session of this mornings free practice. Villeneuve continued to improve on his times and the rest of the Silverstone test teams all put in good performances. Schumacher was third fastest though he was testing with a heavy fuel load.
| 1 | D.Hill | Williams Renault | 1.26.560 |
| 2 | J.Villeneuve | WilliamsRenault | 1.27.028 |
| 3 | M.Schumacher | Ferrari | 1.27.624 |
| 4 | R.Barrichello | JordanPeugeot | 1.27.705 |
| 5 | G.Berger | BenettonRenault | 1.27.996 |
| 6 | M.Hakkinen | McLarenMercedes | 1.28.013 |
| 7 | M. Brundle | JordanPeugeot | 1.28.384 |
| 8 | D.Coulthard | McLarenMercedes | 1.28.534 |
| 9 | J. Alesi | BenettonRenault | 1.28.552 |
| 10 | E.Irvine | Ferrari | 1.29.182 |
| 11 | J.Herbert | Sauber Ford | 1.29.549 |
| 12 | J.Verstappen | TWR ArrowsHart | 1.29.684 |
| 13 | O. Panis | Ligier MugenHonda | 1.29.741 |
| 14 | H. H.Frentzen | Sauber Ford | 1.29.773 |
| 15 | U.Katayama | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.29.777 |
| 16 | M.Salo | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.29.810 |
| 17 | P.Diniz | Ligier MugenHonda | 1.30.743 |
| 18 | R. Rosset | TWR ArrowsHart | 1.31.083 |
| 19 | P. Lamy | MinardiFord | 1.31.591 |
| 20 | G. Fisichella | MinardiFord | 1.31.771 |
The Forti team are not racing yet as they are in dispute with their engine supplier. Rumours surrounding cash flow problems and their engines being too old to finish in France are adding to the saga. Hopefully it will all be sorted out in time for the race, the last thing F1 needs is for the grid to shrink to 20 cars.
Jacques Villeneuve came out quickest on Friday, Hill who was quickest in the morning session was second fastest. McLaren and Benetton both did well and the two Ferrari cars improved throughout the day.
| 1 | J. Villeneuve | Williams Renault | 1.27.541 |
| 2 | D. Hill | Williams Renault | 1.28.241 |
| 3 | J. Alesi | Benetton Renault | 1.28.364 |
| 4 | D. Coulthard | McLaren Mercedes | 1.28.417 |
| 5 | M. Schumacher | Ferrari | 1.28.436 |
| 6 | M. Hakkinen | McLaren Mercedes | 1.28.888 |
| 7 | G. Berger | Benetton Renault | 1.29.013 |
| 8 | R. Barrichello | Jordan Peugeot | 1.29.137 |
| 9 | M. Brundle | Jordan Peugeot | 1.29.146 |
| 10 | O. Panis | Ligier Mugen Honda | 1.29.236 |
| 11 | H. H. Frentzen | Sauber Ford | 1.29.312 |
| 12 | E. Irvine | Ferrari | 1.29.458 |
| 13 | J. Verstappen | TWR Arrows Hart | 1.29.753 |
| 14 | M. Salo | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.30.388 |
| 15 | J. Herbert | Sauber Ford | 1.30.459 |
| 16 | U. Katayama | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.30.826 |
| 17 | P. Diniz | Ligier Mugen Honda | 1.30.829 |
| 18 | R. Rosset | TWR Arrows Hart | 1.31.032 |
| 19 | G. Fisichella | Minardi Ford | 1.31.450 |
| 20 | P. Lamy | MInardi Ford | 1.31.661 |
Despite denying the rumours that they would fail to appear at Silverstone, Forti have yet to put in an appearance on the track. They were absent from this mornings warm up time sheets. More this afternoon as we get it
Damon Hill set the early pace in the morning warm up at Silverstone.
| 1 | D. Hill | Williams Renault | 1.28.267 |
| 2 | J. Alesi | Benetton Renault | 1.28.634 |
| 3 | M. Hakkinen | McLaren Mercedes | 1.28.888 |
| 4 | G. Berger | Benetton Renault | 1.29.013 |
| 5 | J. Villeneuve | Williams Renault | 1.29.160 |
| 6 | R. Barrichello | Jordan Peugeot | 1.29.250 |
| 7 | D. Coulthard | McLaren Mercedes | 1.29.737 |
| 8 | J. Verstappen | TWR Arrows Hart | 1.29.753 |
| 9 | M. Schumacher | Ferrari | 1.29.801 |
| 10 | M. Brundle | Jordan Peugeot | 1.29.832 |
| 11 | O. Panis | Ligier Mugen Honda | 1.30.386 |
| 12 | H. H. Frentzen | Sauber Ford | 1.30.410 |
| 13 | J. Herbert | Sauber Ford | 1.30.794 |
| 14 | U. Katayama | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.30.826 |
| 15 | M. Salo | Tyrrell Yamaha | 1.31.495 |
| 16 | E. Irvine | Ferrari | 1.31.550 |
| 17 | R. Rosset | TWR Arrows | 1.31.592 |
| 18 | P. Lamy | Minardi Ford | 1.32.422 |
| 19 | P. Diniz | Ligier Mugen Honda | 1.32.478 |
| 20 | G. Fisichella | Minardi Ford | 1.32.552 |
Williams underlined their dominance during final testing at Silverstone when all three drivers topped the time sheets, with Boullion recording the fastest time. Many other reserve drivers were given an outing, Magnussen at McLaren, Sospiri at Benetton and Collard at Tyrrell all joined Boullion at the track.
The Bridgestone tests have been continuing at Magny Cours. Jos Verstappen reportedly lapping in 1.18.2 (compared to his qualifying time of 1.18.34) so it would appear that the tyres are on the pace. Riccardo Rosset and Kenny BrŠck also joined the test programme.
Giancarlo Fisichella looks like he might get to race on past the German GP. He was due to be replaced by Giovanni Lavaggi.
Reports that Marlboro will be increasing its sponsorship deal with Ferrari and reducing its deal with McLaren have begun to circulate. More as we get it.
Forti have insisted that they will be at the British GP and that their cars are in fact on their way to the race right now. Forti acknowledged that there had been some difficulties, but there is no intention to stop racing and things are being sorted out.
Ferrari will be using the new rear diffuser at Silverstone, this was designed to get the best from the new high nose. The rear suspension will also be revised, mainly to accommodate the new diffuser.
Michael Schumacher will also have use of a new clutch and seven speed gearbox.
The British GP is one of the biggest in the calendar and along with the Italian GP it is the only race to have featured every year since the championship began in 1950. The first race was the British GP in May 1950 which was held at Silverstone, Farina won that year on his way to the title.The Silverstone track has changed over the years and this year there is a new profile for Stowe corner, it now looks more like it did between 1990-1994, which should speed the race up a bit. Since 1979 Williams or McLaren have won the race on all but three occasions. For the last two years English drivers have started on pole position (Hill) and won the race (Herbert, Hill) and not since 1985 has a non English driver set the fastest lap!!. Recent history points to an Englishman driving a Williams as the most likely winner, pole position and fastest lap. Any names spring to mind ??Last year saw one of the infamous Hill/Schumacher collisions as Hill drove into the Benetton while it was trying to corner and Coulthard lost the race by speeding in the pit lane when his rev limiter broke.The teams that test at Silverstone should have an advantage, so expect McLaren and Jordan to be fighting for points. The fast nature of the Silverstone track should help Jordan with their straight line speed. Benetton and Williams should both do well and we can all hope that Ferrari manage to sort themselves out.The last time less than 10 cars finished was 1987 so, as in France, points have to be earned.
This week it is rumoured that Michael Schumacher will be signing for Ferrari for a third term.
Ralf Schumacher is being increasingly linked to a test at McLaren.
