HOT F1 NEWS
ISSUE 16
14.11.95

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Some current F1 news for those not able to get stories quickly.  My
comments are in the braces(), and they are my personal opinions.

Regards,
Ian.


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Australian GP Results - Adelaide 12/11/95
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1. Hill        (Williams) *Pole *Fastest Lap
2. Panis       (Ligier)   *Smokiest engine
3. Morbidelli  (Footwork)
4. Blundell    (McLaren)
5. Salo        (Tyrrell)
6. Lamy        (Minardi)


FINAL STANDINGS After 17 Rounds
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Drivers:-
		Schumacher	137pts		9 Wins
		Hill		69		4
		Coulthard	49		1
		Herbert		45		2
		Alesi		42		1
		Berger		31		0

Constructors:-

		Benetton	137
		Williams	112
		Ferrari		73
		McLaren		30  (Hak 17, Blund 13, Mans 0)	


Drivers Champion     : Micheal Schumacher
Constructors Champion: Benetton


ALLEGEDLY ...  {

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* Qualifying at Adelaide was marred by the horrific high speed crash
of Mika Hakkinen which put the Finnish McLaren driver in a Comma.
He had to receive emergency treatment in his car and was then taken
to the local ICU. Fortunately Mika is now awake, can move all his
limbs and was last reported to be cleaning his teeth. 

The cause of the crash was caused by a cut in the left rear of the
McLaren. These type of cuts affected other drivers as well as "Hak";
Johnny Herbert and Pedro Lamy escaped serious injury.

These tyre cuts were thought to come from some part of the circuit
itself .... more later.

* The Australian GP at Adelaide was, as usual, a well organised and 
incident packed race. Sadly it will be the last of it's 11 year reign
as the race is switching to Melbourne. The race was always considered
one of the highlights on the F1 calendar as very little has usually 
been at stake (being always the last race) and the teams have been
more relaxed. ( 1986 and 1994 being notable exceptions )


Previous winners include:-

			Gehard Berger 
			Nelson Piquet
			Nigel Mansell
			Michael Schumacher
			Ayrton Senna
			Alain Prost
			
(Quite why they have to move from this fabulous location is beyond me)


* It was mixed weekend for Frank Williams. Damon Hill made up a bit
for mistakes earlier in the season by domination qualifying,
getting the fastest lap and winning without putting a foot wrong.
Hill said it was exactly what was needed to lift spirits before going 
into Winter testing and the challenge of next years championship.

However, Frank's hopes of getting a Williams 1-2 were scrambled when
David Coulthard sent a shiver down Ron Dennis's spine by crashing in
the pit lane. Coultahrd was leading the early stages when he spun 
at the tight pit lane entrance and ended his race. This incident sits
uncomfortably on top of the other embarrasing incidents that Coulthard
has been involved with this year, like spinning on the parade lap at
Monza. David said that there was oil down and that caused his problems.
Roberto Moreno also had the same trouble. 

( Going too fast David ?)


* Gehard Berger's and Jean Alesi's present Ferrari careers ended in
disappointment. Gehard qualified 4th and was running in the top three
until his engine blew and the popular Austrian was last seen parking
what resembled a big red pressure cooker.

Jean Alesi made a good start by getting past Schmuacher but was 
re-passed by the end of the first lap. Alesi was running third when
Schumacher (who had pitted) came flying out the pits and almost caught
Alesi who went screaming past. Later on Schumacher would attempt to
pass Jean but the Frenchman refused to give way and a collision was 
the inevitable result with Alesi being blamed for the prang.

Both drivers kept going for a while but both retired with suspension
type failure. Jean said he had been a frustrated man all season and
was glad to get the last race over with.

* Flavio Briatore had to suffer one of his most unsuccessful races
of the season. With Schumacher out after a prang with Alesi it was
down to Johnny Herbert to bring in the points for Benetton but 
unfortunately the Renault engine expired with a few laps to go when
Johnny was running second. Schumacher was surprisingly relaxed about 
Alesi's bumping session which is probably because he is due to test
the Ferrari in Estoril next week.

* Ron Dennis who was understandably emotional on Friday was cheered
up when Mark Blundell brought the single McLaren home 4th. Olivier
Panis finished an excellent 2nd despite having a to nurse home a
very rough sounding, blue smoking, Mugen-Honda engine and equalled
Ligier's best result of the season. Heinz-Harold Frentzen showed
Mark Blundell some new hand signals when the McLaren driver held
him up for a few laps. The Sauber driver gave him the "one finger
salute " which came across beautifully on TV via the on board
camera.


* Morbidelli more than justified his re-inclusion in the Footwork
team by finishing on the podium and Mika Salo picked up points
for Tyrell for the second race in succession. Pedro Lamy got
a single score for Minardi having amused the crowd earlier with
a series of bungling spins in an attempt to get back facing the
right way.



* During the weekend 3 drivers decided to go and check the circuit
to see if it was part of the actual circuit causing the cuts to 
tyres. Hill, Berger and Schumacher all walked out to one of the
offical cars. There was some awkward glances and silent stares but
in the end Damon sat in the back whilst Schmuacher drove and Berger
sat in the front passeneger seat. Hill had a smile on his face
when Schu had trouble starting the car and then finding and
engaging 1st gear. 

( Damon was probably thinking that Michael better get used to these 
  problems as he will doubtless have many next year  :-)   )  


* Damon Hill gave the Adelaide crowd a thrill on his victory lap by
wheel-spinning the Williams after every corner exit and showing
some sideways driving and almost spinning at one point.

( Damon has had much practise at this during the season  :-)  )

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Thoughts on a Season
--------------------

1995 was a year when Michael Schumacher out-thought and out-drove
Damon Hill and the Williams team to take the drivers title. With
Herbert's 2 wins and 45 pts it was more than enough for Benetton
to take the constructors title for the first time.

It was a year of dissapointment for Ferrari and it's frustrated
drivers, with only one win and much mechanical failure, and much 
magic from Jean Alesi and many 3rd places from Gehard.

It was a year of generally poor performances from Jordan and McLaren.
Irvine shone occasionally but Reuben's only highlight was a 2nd
place in Canada. Mansell turned his back and Blundell filled in
admirably. Mika tried too hard sometimes but had podium finishes.

It was a year of learning for Damon Hill and David Coulthard and
Williams. Damon won 4 times and Coulthard once but too many errors
in driving and in strategy caused their failure.

Shinning stars were Lamy, Morbidelli, Salo, Brundle and Frentzen.
Dull moons were Mansell, Inuoe, Boullion and Katayama. 
  
Next season we will have to see if Damon can put this season's 
experiences to good effect, if Michael can turn Ferrari into a 
consistant winner, if Irvine can bring some Irish luck to Maranello,
if Jaques can fly like his dad, if Alesi and Berger can enjoy some
reliability and if the Forti's will change their awfull paint job...

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ISSUE 17 comming in the Winter.......

HOT F1 NEWS now available on the WWW with backissue archives.
http://www.zmall.com/sports/motorsports
Thanks to Mall of Cyberspace.

Copyright 1995 by Ian Howell.  Distribution for non-commercial 
purposes only permitted without the written prior consent of 
the author.


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