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Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it |
"It is just not fast enough !" Issue 14 - The Heretic 22 - 27 May News |
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Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it |
"It is just not fast enough !" Issue 14 - The Heretic 22 - 27 May News |
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Download the NewsOnF1.com |
27-May: It was a busy day at Fiorano with Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer both testing at the circuit. Michael Schumacher concentrated on setup and aerodynamic work and some tyre testing. He also tested several setups on an artificially flooded track. Schumacher completed a total of 85 laps. Luca Badoer shook down the 3 Ferrari's to be used in Monaco. He completed 31 laps. The team also conducted several pit stops ... Timed Results. In other news, Bridgestone have threatened to pull out of Formula 1 if the regulations change without their agreement or if the tyres become the centre of competition. It is ironic that a statement such as this would come from Bridgestone who have forced Goodyear out of Formula 1 because of fierce competition. 26-May: Both BAR and Williams have concluded their testing session at Nogaro in France. Williams conducted a 3 day testing session and Ralf Schumacher was fastest on all 3 days. In fact Ralf Schumacher has lowered the lap record set here by Mika Salo last year by almost 2 seconds. It is worth mentioning though that there was only a single 3 day test session at Nogaro last year. Jenson Button was again second fastest while Ricardo Zonta was 3rd. Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Lemarie followed. BAR continued testing the 'Athena 200' system with development driver Patrick Lemarie ... Timed Results. At Fiorano, Michael Schumacher continued testing for the second day again concentrating on aerodynamic and setup work in preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix. The session was interrupted for 2 1/2 hours by heavy rains forcing the session to be extended until 9 p.m. in order to get through the scheduled program. Michael Schumacher covered 71 laps with a best time of 1:01.309. Testing continues at Fiorano tomorrow with Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer ... Timed Results. In other news, Patrick Head has denied that Williams is talking to Jacques Villeneuve for a drive with Williams next year and indicated that making a decision between Juan Pablo Montoya and Jenson Button is difficult enough. David Coulthard expressed his disappointment with comments made by his team-mate Mika Hakkinen recently when Hakkinen indicated that Coulthard is at his limit with his speed and even then Coulthard is still behind him. Coulthard responded by saying that while Mika is entitled to his opinion, it is not one that he shares and after all what he has done for him, Coulthard couldn't believe that Hakkinen would say something like that. 25-May: It was the final day of testing at Valencia where Mika Salo was fastest under very hot conditions. Jarno Trulli was second followed by an impressive Antonio Pizzonia followed by Pedro de la Rosa and Eddie Irvine. Antonio Pizzoina was certainly impressive as he mixed it with the regular Formula 1 drivers on the track. While he did spin once, he ended the day 3rd fastest just over 0.5 seconds slower than the fastest time set on the day. There were 5 drivers and 5 teams on the final day as Benetton could only test with one car following Fisichella's accident with Trulli yesterday. Mika Salo did over a 100 laps while Jarno Trulli did 90 and Antonio Pizzonia did 84 ... Timed Results. At Nogaro, BAR and Williams started their testing with Ralf Schumacher setting the fastest time of the day followed by his teammate Jenson Button. BAR had 3 cars on the track with Jacques Villeneuve, Ricardo Zonta and development test driver Patrick Lemarie. Williams performed some initial testing on Wednesday with both drivers covering a few laps. In addition to the normal testing duties, BAR where testing a new control system codenamed 'Athena 200' which controls both engine management as well as chassis management. This system is a joint development between BAR and Honda ... Timed Results. At Silverstone, McLaren and Prost have been testing for the last 3 days although the test was interrupted by heavy rains on Tuesday. On Wednesday Stephan Sarrazin was testing for Prost while Mika Hakkinen was testing for McLaren. Today it was Jean Alesi testing for Prost while both Mika Hakkinen and Olivier Panis were testing for McLaren. The best time set by the Prost team was that of Jean Alesi with a time of 1:27.873. No testing times are available for McLaren at the moment. Michael Schumacher took over the testing duties at Fiorano from Luca Badoer. Today he completed a total of 43 laps with a best time of 1:01.222 concentrating on aerodynamic and setup work in preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix, he will continue testing tomorrow ... Timed Results. 25-May: "How it has all changed !" is the title of the 13th issue from the Diagnosis and Prognosis Series for the 2000 season. In this issue, the Heretic looks at the aftermath of the European Grand Prix - Check it out here !! 24-May: Benetton's driver Giancarlo Fisichella while on a fast lap couldn't avoid the slow Jordan of Jarno Trulli during the second day of testing at Valencia. His car hit the back of the Jordan, flipped over and landed nose first in the gravel trap. Fisichella came out of it with a bruised thumb, his car was heavily damaged and Benetton decided to cancel the testing remaining on that car. Jarno Trulli in the Jordan was fine but his car suffered some damage as well. Jos Verstappen was fastest of the day ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella and Johnny Herbert. Jarno Trulli, Antonio Pizzonia and Heinz Harald Frentzen made the top 6. Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia who is rumoured to take Alexander Wurz's place was at the wheel of the second Benetton for the first time and he certainly impressed clocking the 5th fastest time. 8 drivers with 5 teams took part in the session. The session was interrupted by the accident for a long time. Testing continues tomorrow ... Timed Results. Luca Badoer continued testing the F1-2000 Ferrari at Fiorano. He did a total of 101 laps with a best time of 1:01.468. The tests concentrated on setup and aerodynamic testing without any problems reported. Michael Schumacher takes over tomorrow ... Timed Results. 23-May: Heinz Harald Frentzen sets the fastest time on the first day of testing at Valencia. He was almost 2 seconds ahead of Sauber's test driver Enrique Bernoldi. Giancarlo Fisichella, Luciano Burti (Jaguar test driver), Jos Verstappen and Giorgio Pantano (Benetton test driver) make the top 6 (out of 6 in total !) 6 drivers and 5 teams were present at the test. Benetton has two cars, one for the regular drivers while the other is used to evaluate test drivers. Bernoldi did the most laps with 112 laps covered followed by Frentzen and Pantano both doing in excess of 90 laps each. Testing continues tomorrow ... Timed Results. Luca Badoer was testing the 6th F1-2000 for Ferrari at Fiorano. He did a total of 83 laps with a best time of 1:02.118. The tests concentrated on handling and aerodynamics without any problems reported ... Timed Results. 23-May: Most of the teams will be testing this week in preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix. Several teams will be starting a 3 day day test session on Tuesday on the tight and twisty circuit at Valencia in Spain including Jordan, Jaguar, Sauber, Arrows and Benetton. Ferrari will be testing at Fiorano as usual while Williams and BAR will be testing at Nogaro in France starting on Wednesday. Williams will conduct a 3 days session while BAR will be there for 2 days. McLaren and Prost will test at Silverstone. Jos Verstappen has hit back at the suggestions made by Heinz Harald Frentzen by claiming that it was Frentzen who tried to run him of the track in qualifying and in turn he returned the favour. He did admit that he did warn Frentzen after the incident and that he does not believe he will do it again ! The latest team that is interested in Jacques Villeneuve is Williams. If we are to believe all the rumours !. But with Jenson Button fighting to retain his seat and Juan Pablo Montoya an option for Sir Frank and most importantly the financial demands set by Villeneuve, it does seem unlikely. A Jacques Villeneuve - Ralf Schumacher combination would be exciting to watch though ! 22-May: Heinz Harald Frentzen claims that he was blocked during qualifying at the European Grand Prix by Jos Verstappen. He expected an apology but at the drivers parade before the race, Jos Verstappen warned him to stay out of his way or otherwise he'll kick him off the track !. Frentzen added "I always thought in positive terms of Jos but today this turned out to be a misjudgement." Mika Hakkinen does not think that there is any reason to worry about Michael Schumacher's extended lead. He indicated that there is a long way to go and the McLaren have a good package and therefore he is not worried but acknowledged that it will be tough. Hakkinen's team-mate David Coulthard approached the situation from a different angle. He claimed that both McLaren drivers had their turn with not finishing races while Michael Schumacher had not and that will sooner or later change. Coulthard added that McLaren are confident of a 1-2 finish at Monaco and that will change the picture completely. Alexander Wurz who hit Johnny Herbert at the European Grand Prix a few laps from the finish apologised to Herbert for the incident, he said "I saw a chance to get past Johnny and the car got a little sideways and I hit him. I do apologise to Johnny but that's racing". Meanwhile Flavio Briatore have indicated that Wurz will be driving for Benetton until the end of the season. |
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