Team Lotus Press Release - 16 October 1994


TEAM LOTUS
powered by Mugen Honda


FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

        GRAND PRIX  EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX
           CIRCUIT  JEREZ
              DATE  SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER 1994
ALESSANDRO ZANARDI  16TH
      ERIC BERNARD  18TH

RACE RESULT
1st  Schumacher   Benetton
2nd  Hill         Williams
3rd  Hakkinen     McLaren
4th  Irvine       Jordan
5th  Berger       Ferrari
6th  Frentzen     Sauber
7th  Katayama     Tyrrell
8th  Herbert      Ligier
9th  Panis        Ligier
10th Alesi        Ferrari
16th Zanardi      TEAM LOTUS
18th Bernard      TEAM LOTUS

CONSTRUCTORS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1st  Benetton     97 pts
2nd  Williams     95 pts
3rd  Ferrari      60 pts
4th  McLaren      38 pts
5th  Jordan       23 pts
6th  Tyrrell      13 pts
7th  Ligier       11 pts
8th  Sauber       11 pts
9th  Footwork      9 pts
10th Minardi       5 pts
11th Larrouse      2 pts

DRIVERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1st  Schumacher   86 pts
2nd  Hill         81 pts
3rd  Berger       35 pts
4th  Hakkinen     26 pts
5th  Alesi        19 pts
6th  Barrichello  16 pts
7th  Coulthard    14 pts
8th  Brundle      12 pts
9th  Verstappen   10 pts
10th Blundell      8 pts
11th Panis         7 pts
12th Larini        6 pts

Friday 14 October - Free Practice & Qualifying
Alessandro Zanardi:
  "This morning we tried a set-up based on the one that worked well for us
   in testing in Portugal, but it was not the right way to go for this
   track.  We changed things quite a lot for this afternoon and we now
   know more about a suitable set-up for Jerez.  The car is still difficult
   to drive because it is sliding around too much at the rear."
Eric Bernard:
  "It's been a little bit difficult for me today, because this is the
   first time I have driven this car and everything has come together very
   quickly in the last two days.  I think this afternoon that we made good
   progress in these circumstances, because each time I went out it felt
   better, but I still need to improve the balance for tomorrow.  I hope
   then to have the new engine in my car, and that should help me to
   progress further."
Peter Collins:
  "I'm very impressed with the calm and methodical manner in which
   Alessandro worked steadily to improve the car for qualifying. And I'm
   pleased with the sensible approach displayed by Eric as he has been
   learning about his car."

Saturday 15 October - Free Practice & Qualifying
Alessandro Zanardi:
  "The car is very difficult to drive, but I am still convinced that there 
   is more to come.  We are moving in the right directions, but although 
   the grip is not bad I still had problems finding a balance.  I could swap
   it from the front to the rear, but I could never get it even.  You could
   say it [Jerez] is the sort that tends to highlight the problems in the
   car, whereas Monza showed its best points."
Eric Bernard:
  "I am happy that we have made progress throughout the weekend, although
   I was hoping for a better position on the grid.  On my first set of
   tyres I pushed a lot - probably too hard as I came very close to
   crashing in one fast corner!  I would like to thank my engineer and all
   my mechanics who have been such great support for me this weekend.  The
   team has made me feel very welcome."
Peter Collins:
  "Alex made a strong contribution by tackling things in a calm and logical
   manner, which has been a great help this weekend.  Eric has adapted well
   to his new environment and done a good and professional job.  I am 
   pleased with his input."

Sunday 16 October - The Race
Alessandro Zanardi:
  "I am pleased with this interesting test, because the car was very good
   in some corners.  In the high-speed turns I could stay with the best
   cars.  In the medium corners it was reasonable too, but in the slow
   corners and on initial acceleration I was losing 70 or 80 metres every
   time.  We definitely need to improve that.  I hope that we can use all
   the information we have gathered to make the car better for Suzuka,
   which should suit us better."
Eric Bernard:
  "It was terrific to finish the race, because after 20 laps it was very
   difficult physically for me.  Not because I am not fit, but because my
   seating position wasn't right.  My arms, legs and back were all
   completely numb, and I have to admit that I felt it was too dangerous
   to keep pushing really hard.  However, because the people on the team
   have given me such a very warm welcome, I felt I couldn't let anyone
   down.  From somewhere I found some reserve energy and managed to
   finish."
Peter Collins:
  "We know that the car is not so good in slow-speed corners, but I am
   encouraged how well it went in the faster curves and am confident that
   this will stand us in very good stead for the Japanese Grand Prix at
   Suzuka."

ROUND 15 - Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka - Sunday 6 November 1994

-- 
Alan F. Perry
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