F1: Italian GP Tyrrell preview

• michael.cosgrove@westonia.com (Michael Cosgrove)
• Westonia Computer Systems of Canada
• Sat Aug 31 23:34:55 EDT 1996

               TYRRELL AIMS TO FINISH A STEP FORWARD
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     Having  finished in the top seven in three of the last  four 
races, the Tyrrell-Yamaha team is determined to improve its  race 
clarification  by  at  least on position in Italy  and  add  some 
points to its score card in the 1996 Constructors World Champion-
ship.
     In preparation for next week's Italian Grand Prix, the  team 
ran a two-car test this week (Wednesday and Thursday) at  Silver-
stone  with Ukyo Katayama and test and reserve  driver,  Emmanuel 
Collard.
     Emmanuel  drove over 45 laps during the two days and  set  a 
best time of 1:29.3 on Thursday morning. Collard said: "We had an 
excellent  test. We did a lot of work on weight distribution  and 
set-up preparations for Monza. We also improved the car's balance 
for  my driving style; we practiced starts yesterday morning  and 
simulated  a qualifying session during which I set my  best  laps 
time."
     Harvey  Postlethwaite,  Managing  Director  -   Engineering, 
added: "We had a positive two-day test. `Manu' drove well and did 
a good job as a test driver. When he ran on new tires on Thursday 
morning,  he qualified the quickest time we have done at  Silver-
stone  and it was not a quick day. Ukyo was trying new parts  for 
next year's car and it looks promising.
     "We  are delighted to go back to Monza and with  its  unique 
atmosphere it is one of the best events of the year."
     On  Wednesday,  Ukyo Katayama drove 39 laps and set  a  best 
time of 1:29.3. "We tried several front suspension geometries  in 
preparation  for next year's car and got some positive  results," 
Ukyo said. "I love Italy and always enjoy racing at Monza. It  is 
another fast circuit with challenging corners and this is just my 
cup of tea."
     Mika  Salo said: " Monza brings back good  memories  because 
this  is  where last year I scored mu  first  World  Championship 
points when I finished fifth.
     "It  is  a  very fast circuit with  some  superb  high-speed 
corners  like La Parabolica. I very much like driving  here;  the 
atmosphere with the Italian fans is fantastic; the 024 is  pretty 
good in low downforce configuration, so we could perform well."
     Mike Gascoyne, Deputy Technical Director: "It (Monza) is one 
of  the highest speed circuits of the season.   Like  Hockemheim, 
cars will run with low downforce configuration, but Monza has the 
additional challenge of two or three very fast corners.  Although 
you try to run low downforce for straight line speed, you need to 
get the car balance right and carry the right amount of wing  for 
the  corners. It is not just a case of running low wing but  get-
ting the overall balance right for a quick lap.
     "The  second Lesmo corner is  very challenging and  is  fol-
lowed by the Ascari chicane which is a high-speed left-right-left 
flick where you need a good change of direction and  acceleration 
to be fast on the back straight on then into La Parabolica. Speed 
at the exit of this corner is crucial if you want to be quick  on 
the main straight past the pits."
     "The  car's performance on three out of four  straights  de-
pends  on a good exit from medium to high speed corners. A  quick 
lap  does  not  only  depend  on low wing  to  be  quick  on  the 
straights, you need to be quick out of those fast corners.
     "Tyrrell-Yamaha   has traditionally performed well in  Monza 
over  the  last  couple of years, so we look forward  to  a  good 
race."
     The  Italian Grand Prix will be held on the  5.770-kilometre 
Monza  circuit,  near Milan. The 53-lap,  305.772-kilometre  race 
will  start at 1400 hours local time on Sunday, Sept 8th  and  is 
expected to last around one-hour and 20 minutes.  

Magis mutus quam piscis

 * 1st 2.00 #8604 * Maior e longinquo reverentia.