Austria 1999: Team Press Releases, Qualifying

Post Race - Press releases for:
Arrows, BAR, Benetton, Ferrari, Jordan, McLaren, Minardi, Prost, Sauber, Stewart, Williams, Bridgestone



Arrows [start]

Not in at this time


British American Racing [start]

Mechanical failures once again plagued British American Racing today, bringing to naught race performances by Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta that showed verve and promise during an exciting Austrian Grand Prix.

Jacques Villeneuve's race ended on lap 34 with a broken driveshaft, whilst Ricardo Zonta was forced to retire on lap 63 when his clutch failed. Until then, however, both drivers had acquitted themselves well on a dry track on a cool, overcast Sunday afternoon.

Ferrari's Eddie Irvine won his second Grand Prix race of the year, finishing ahead of the McLaren duo of David Coulthard and Mika Ricardo and Hakkinen, who made a gift of the top spot in team boss what was, at times, a spectacular race. Hakkinen was much the story of the Austrian Grand Prix as the Finnish pole-sitter weaved his way through the field with a vengeance after his team-mate ("my worst nightmare") clipped him on Turn Two of the first lap, sending him spinning off the track and into 20th place. Hakkinen's return to the podium was the story of the day, but Irvine's win (10 points) puts him just two points behind Hakkinen (four points) in the race for the overall Drivers' title.

Both British American Racing drivers showed well in the opening sprint, with Villeneuve jumping up to fifth by the second turn from his ninth place on the starting grid, and Zonta moving to ninth from 15th by the third lap. From that point on, Villeneuve was in the hunt for points, alternating between fifth and eighth place and on a one-stop strategy, before his car gave up the ghost on lap 34.

Zonta avoided several trouble spots and had moved up to ninth when his clutch went on lap 63. Both drivers and their pit crews will have little time to lick their wounds, as the FIA Formula One circus reunites at Hockenheim next Sunday for the German Grand Prix, the only time on the 1999 calendar where races are staged on consecutive weekends.

JACQUES VILLENEUVE : Retired - Lap 34
"I was pleased with my start and in the first part of the race there was a lot of action - I had a good battle with Ralf Schumacher (Williams) in the early laps. We knew that Pedro Diniz and Jean Alesi in the Saubers were on a two-stop strategy so I let them through early on - we were on one-stop and had decided to make it as late as possible. The car was easy to drive and things were looking good, until lap 34 when something in the driveshaft broke and I could only drive slowly back to the pits. We put in a lot of work and effort this weekend, and I feel sorry for the guys because they've been working so hard for no result so far."

RICARDO ZONTA : Retired - Lap 63 / Classified 15th
"My first lap was very good - I was very close to Giancarlo Fisichella in the Benetton, and everything seemed to be fine. I started to get some oversteer on my first set of tyres, and this gradually got worse, especially from about lap 20 to around half distance when I went too wide on a turn and collected some dirt - that's when I lost two or three positions. I came in then and my pit stop was good, and afterwards on new tyres the car felt good again. Then the clutch started to grab and the team told me to put it in override. I did this and carried on, passing MIka Salo and managing to hold him off. Then when I came to the hairpin on lap 63 I tried to downshift, and the clutch just didn't work - I had to pull off the track and my race was finished."

STEVE FARRELL : Chief Engineer, British American Racing
"Everyone in the team is highly disappointed but, once again, we have shown that we are competitive and can be racing for points. Clearly however, we are still lacking reliability. Once we achieve that, we are confident that we will be able to score points at each race."


Benetton [start]

Summary : The race strategy was based on a single pit-stop. Alex Wurz earned 2 points in his home Grand Prix. Fisichella was forced to retire due to engine failure 3 laps from the end of the race when he was in 7th position.

ROCCO BENETTON
"This was a good grand prix and it is a good boost for the team who are all working incredibly hard at the moment. It is a pity that Giancarlo had to retire with only a couple of laps to go as he had had a really strong race. But I am delighted for Alexander as for once this year he has not been halted by problems or bad luck and managed to show what both we and he himself know he is capable of. This is an even better result seeing as it is Alexander's home Grand Prix."

ALEXANDER WURZ
"This was a good race for me. At first my start was perfect then I lost a few places with the collision in front of me. I really found my rhythm with the circuit. My first set of tyres wasn't so good and I was sliding quite a lot. My second set was much better and I could really push and get in some good lap times. My pit-stop was really good too and I finished 5th which is cool for me and for the team."

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA
"This was a hard race and it is a real shame that I had to stop because of an engine problem only 3 laps from the end. My start was good. The car had really low downforce and so it was really hard to drive with a heavy fuel load and in addition my diffuser had been broken by someone hitting me on the first lap, but it got better as the load lightened. In the pit-stop Alexander managed to get ahead of me. Then I started to have problems with the brakes and this was one of the reasons I went off the track and lost 6th position. When I got back on the track the set-up wasn't the same as before"


Ferrari [start]

JEAN TODT
"Today we have seen the right response from Eddie and the team to the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. We said we would not give up and this proves we did not. As usual, actions speak louder than words. It was a shame for Salo that he collided with Herbert, because he could have scored important points for the Constructors' Championship. There is still a long way to go?"

EDDIE IRVINE
"I knew qualifying did not represent our true performance and because of that and the right strategy I was able to win. I have proved I can do the job. In the early stages, I was having to watch my fuel, but then I really made up time before my pit stop. The smoke from my car towards the end of the race was probably coming from my brain because I had to think about so many things - the fuel, the brakes the tyres.

It was not just a case of driving. I had understeer on my second set of tyres but it got better after a while. Then I eased off a bit to look after the brakes, but Coulthard caught me quicker than I expected and I had to push very hard again and forget about my brake problems. I wished the chequered flag would come sooner. At last week's Monza test we made a big step forward in terms of running on high speed tracks, so now I am confident for Hockenheim."

MIKA SALO
"I am not happy with my race result, however my speed over the weekend was okay, even though I made a couple of mistakes. I made a good start, but I had to protect my position at the first corner. Then at the second corner, with the accident in front, the whole pack slowed down, but I was carrying a bit too much speed and hit Herbert from behind. During the race, I seemed to have a lack of straight line speed which made overtaking difficult. On the plus side, I learned a lot today and at the next race in Hockenheim, I know that I have to score points to help Ferrari in the championship. Now that I have more experience with the car I think that is possible. I am really happy for Eddie. "


Jordan [start]

Responding to the pressure heaped on him in Michael Schumacher's absence, Eddie Irvine produced one of his best ever performances to win the Austrian Grand Prix. Defying critics who believed he has made some rather outspoken comments in recent weeks, Irvine out shone and out paced the McLarens of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen who finished behind him in second and third place. "I knew qualifying did not represent our true performance and because of that and the right strategy I was able to win," said an elated Irvine after the race.

Coulthard lead for much of the race, but the Austrian Grand Prix turned out to be what he called a 'nightmare scenario' after he pushed his team mate off on the first lap and then later irrevocably lost his lead in the pits to Irvine. "I am very sorry for what happened with Mika," Coulthard said. "I completely misjudged the second corner and hit Mika spinning him round." The Finn managed to plough his way back from the back of the field to take third place. "Whatever happened at the second corner is no longer important. I appreciate David's apologies," he said.

For the Benson and Hedges Jordan team there were more points thanks to Heinz-Harald Frentzen's fourth place finish. In what was his 90th Grand Prix, the German driver drove a solid race to bring home more points to further consolidate his team's third place in the Championship and move him closer to third place in the Drivers' Championship. Jordan has now equalled its points total of 1998 (34 points) with seven races remaining.

HEINZ-HARALD FRENTZEN
"Today was really a race against ourselves," explained Frentzen, "as we could not keep up with the cars ahead of us, but a fourth place finish is still good. It was hard to keep up with Barrichello when he overtook me at the start because I had a lot of fuel in the car. When the car was lighter it was running quite well but I saw that I could not overtake him (Barrichello) so all I could do was keep pushing. When he dropped out, I had plenty of space ahead of me and behind me and my team told me to bring the car home so I did not go flat out."

DAMON HILL
Damon Hill had a disappointing day after losing places at the start. "It all went wrong in the first lap really" he said. "I lost a couple of places in the first two corners and then lost about five places because Herbert's rear wing came off and I went the wrong side of him."

Elsewhere in the race, Mika Salo finished his first Grand Prix for Ferrari in 9th place but was one lap behind. Neither Williams finished, Barrichello retired on lap 55 with an engine failure, and Herbert finished outside the points. Benetton had a better day than in previous races - Wurz finished 5th in front of his home crowd.


McLaren [start]

The West McLaren Mercedes team drivers' David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen finished the Austrian Grand Prix in second and third positions respectively. An accidental second corner incident involving David and Mika proved to be detrimental to the final result for the team.

MIKA HAKKINEN
"To come here and score points was important and we have done that. Whatever happened at the second corner is no longer important and I appreciate David's apologies. The car however, did not feel right after the incident but even so I just went flat out to regain positions and to finish in the points."

DAVID COULTHARD
"Well, today was my nightmare scenario, not only did I take my team mate off at turn two but we came second to our opposition. I am very sorry for what happened with Mika. I completely misjudged the second corner of the race and hit Mika spinning him round. Then I was unable to put in quick laps just after my stop as I was caught in traffic this meant that Irvine was able to get ahead of me in the pit stops and I was unable to regain my lead."

RON DENNIS
"Day's like today can be used to strengthen a team. David's apology and Mika's acceptance of it reflects the maturity of their relationship. An outstanding performance from Mika which gave him a richly deserved podium finish. David's race was badly influenced by traffic in the two or three laps leading to his pitstop, the result of which very much assisted Irvine to take the lead. I hope Bernie appreciates our contribution to maintaining the excitement of Formula One!"

NORBERT HAUG
"This race has been unnecessarily difficult for us, following a second corner incident where David spun Mika around whilst misjudging the corner. Mika again drove a fantastic race charging through the field from last position to finish on the podium. This performance supersedes the one he gave in Magny Cours. The World Championship still remains wide open which is good for the fans and the sport of Grand Prix racing."


Minardi [start]

MARC GENE
"I feel very pleased. I think I did a good race with a really competitive and driveable car which proved to be faster in the second and third sector, where I scored the same times as Stewart, Jordan and Benetton whereas I lost a bit in the first sector. I feel satisfied also with the strategy we have chosen. My car showed a big step forward and this makes me feel more confident and optimistic in view of the next race in Germany."

LUCA BADOER
"I am a bit disappointed because my strategy was focused to attack; in fact, at the first lap I was 15th after a good start. Soon afterwards, as I was trying to overtake Hill, he came too close to me and broke my car's nose. I continued but the nose came off completely and finished under the car making me finishing straight at a fast corner. However, I feel happy for the times I posted. They were really good during the whole race compared to those of the middle chart, and this was our objective. Unfortunately we were not lucky. I hope it will go better at next Sunday's race. "

CESARE FIORIO
"We are satisfied with the race outcome because both cars have seen the finishing line thus proving a steady reliability. Just a little regret concerning Luca who had a very aggressive strategy, like Diniz; he could have finished among the first eight considering that he he posted very interesting times. Marc did a very regular race. I wish to outline that it is the first time we finish a Grand Prix race, on a short 71 laps circuit, at one lap left and this confirms the continuous improvement in our performances."


Prost [start]

JARNO TRULLI
"I had a very hard race today. I had to battle with some very competitive cars among which was one driven by Damon Hill who pushed very hard. We have completed the race well including my pit-stop, when all the team worked perfectly to get me out in front of Damon. It is a pity that it is the third time that I have finished seventh, so close to the points."

OLIVIER PANIS
"We opted for a strategy with just one pit stop. So; it was difficult at the start with a car so full of fuel; but it became more and more easy as the laps went by until the car felt good just before my first pit stop which went well. Then, I pushed very hard to gain some advantage. The whole team worked well today even if there remains a lot to do to make progress with the car. Unfortunately, I had a problem with the anti-stall at the start and so had to begin in last position, which made it difficult to benefit from our strategy."

ALAIN PROST
"Both of our cars finished, even if we are understandably disappointed to finish just outside the points. Once again, we are missing something in terms of pure performance. Olivier was faster in the second part of the race; in contrast to Jarno who lost some performance with his second set of tyres. Without this, perhaps we would have been able to take the point for finishing in sixth place. In terms of strategy and pit stops, everything went well."

- CORRADO PROVERA "One more time, the Prost Peugeot cars have proved their reliability, even if, for the third time this season, the best of the two finished in seventh place and outside the points. Jarno drove a fine race and Olivier, starting a long way back on the grid, finished in the top ten. There are seven Grands Prix remaining in 1999 in which we will do everything we can to gain some reward."


Sauber [start]

PEDRO DINIZ
We decided to run with a low downforce set-up after our experience in qualifying yesterday, and the car felt much better in the warm-up this morning. I made a great start in the race; I certainly didn't expect to be eighth after a lap! Early on I had a good fight with Ralf Schumacher. He put me on the grass a couple of times, then I overtook him round the outside and when we got to the hairpin he tried to come back at me, outbraked himself and spun off. I just managed to miss him!

Our two-stop strategy was right, given our grid positions. But when I found myself running so high up so early on, a single-stop strategy would have been better, but by then of course we were already committed. Nevertheless, I had a good race and the car felt very strong. I'm really pleased to score another point.

JEAN ALESI
What can I say? I didn't see my pit board telling me to come in for my second fuel stop because I was so close behind Damon Hill, and I couldn't hear the radio properly. I ran out of fuel. It's very bad for me, especially as the car was going so well.

PETER SAUBER
To start a race so far down the grid, yet to score a point, takes a lot of risk. Our two-stop strategy was right in those circumstances, and gave Pedro and Jean the chance to fight for points. Each did this in an impressive manner, to the delight of the crowd!


Stewart [start]

Rubens Barrichello retired on lap 55 with an engine failure while in fourth place. He was running second until his first pit stop.

Johnny Herbert lost his rear wing after being hit from behind by Mika Salo at the second corner of the opening lap. After having a new wing fitted he was able to re-join the race - four laps behind. He finished 14th - setting the second fastest lap of the race.

JOHNNY HERBERT
After being quick throughout the weekend it must be frustrating to encounter problems on the opening lap?
"Both Rubens and I made good starts but I got boxed in a bit by Frentzen coming into the first corner. I could see Hakkinen and Coulthard coming together and backed off. Unfortunately I was hit from behind by Salo and lost my rear wing."

How do you keep motivation high when joining at the back of the field - four laps behind?
"It can be hard and you just think 'is there really a point continuing?' In a way the pressure was off so I was able to enjoy myself while still pushing hard. My car was excellent even though there was some damage to the floor. I was able to maintain a quick pace throughout the race."

RUBENS BARRICHELLO
Given that you ran strongly in the race, it must be annoying that it ended like it did?
"I got a good start and was enjoying the race. I wasn't able to make much ground on David (Coulthard) early on but I just had to keep pushing to hold second place. The car felt good and my pace was consistent. It's frustrating when you get the chance for points and they disappear like that. We have lost points too often this year when we have been well placed." How important was race strategy and tyre wear?
"After the pit stop, the car didn't feel as good on the new tyres. I think the guys who stayed out a little longer before stopping had the advantage because it took a couple of laps for the new tyres to work effectively on heavy fuel."

PAUL STEWART : SGP Chief Operating Officer
"Unfortunately we came away empty-handed when there was the real prospect of points for both cars. Johnny was taken out through no fault of his own but responded well to the challenge of rejoining the race four laps down. It was a terrific performance by him to set the second fastest lap of the race. Rubens ran strongly in second place before his pit stop and was holding down fourth position before his engine failure. He proved once again that we can run at the front on merit."

MARTIN WHITAKER : Director, Ford Racing, Europe
"After such a strong performance in qualifying it is extremely frustrating to leave Austria without World Championship points. Rubens was running strongly in second place until his pit stop and then suffered an engine failure while in fourth on lap 55, our first failure since April. We musn't allow Rubens' performance to overshadow that of Johnny. Sidelined by the opening lap incident he then turned in one of the best drives of the entire race and lapped consistently at front running pace."


Williams [start]

For the first time since Imola neither of the Winfield-WilliamsF1 cars saw the chequered flag. Ralf Schumacher had an early end to his race, spinning out on the 10th lap when he was in sixth position whilst Alex Zanardi ran out of petrol on lap 36, when lying 14th, due to a radio failure that cut the communication with the WilliamsF1 pit.

Ralf Schumacher
"I made quite a good start and I was in sixth position, between Villeneuve and Diniz. I came into a corner and Diniz was very close to my back and trying to overtake me. I was trying to hold him off and I braked too late and slid on the track, which was quite dirty in that part. I could not then avoid spinning and going into the gravel."

Alex Zanardi
"I feel some responsibility for what happened, so I must say thank you to those who say that I was unlucky. The radio was working initially, I heard every single message from the garage but it stopped working some time before my engineer was calling me into the pit for the refuelling. In that moment I was very close to Diniz who had some problems and at almost every turn I had a good chance to overtake him. I was concentrating on overtaking him and I only saw the board on the third time it was being shown to bring me in. But it was too late."

Frank Williams
"Disappointing performance. Nothing more to say. Collectively we must try better next time."


Bridgestone [start]

McLarens clash, Irvine takes advantage
A first-lap misunderstanding between McLaren drivers Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard helped Eddie Irvine to take a glorious but unexpected victory for Ferrari in the Austrian Grand Prix. In a clash of wheels approaching the slow second corner, Hakkinen was spun around by Coulthard and lost many places. Coulthard, who later apologised to his team mate, continued with his car slightly damaged but he lost the lead to Irvine when they both made their single mid-race pit stops and Irvine was able to stay out longer to build up his lead with a clear road in front of him. Despite pushing Irvine's brake-troubled Ferrari in the closing laps, the Scot was unable to snatch back the lead in the dash to the finish and had to be satisfied with a close 2nd place. Following his delay, Hakkinen electrified the spectators with a remarkable climb through the field from last place all the way to 3rd at the finish. The reigning world champion still holds the lead in this year's title-chase, but his lead is now down to two points (44 to 42) over Irvine.

Yoshihiko Ichikawa, Bridgestone Motorsport Technical Manager:
"Today many of the drivers preferred to start the race on scrubbed tyres because there was less risk of the understeer to be expected here with brand new rubber. However, others had to fit old (part worn) tyres on their cars, not for the same reason but because they only had used rubber left over after qualifying. For this race on this circuit, scrubbed tyres provided better balance than new ones because the normal process of degradation is less severe."

Luca Baldisseri, Race Engineer on Eddie Irvine's Ferrari:
"Because of the problem between the two McLarens at the second corner, Eddie had to fall back behind Barrichello. Having to follow another car very closely usually causes understeer, which is why Eddie was complaining about the handling at that stage. The car was set up to be quick on used tyres, at the end of the stint, and this worked out well because it gave us seven or eight laps more than the opposition before we had to stop for fuel. It was in those laps that we were able to build up the gap that allowed Eddie to come out ahead of Coulthard. In the second stint Eddie managed - just - to keep Coulthard behind him. I think we can say it happened just as we had planned."

Austrian Grand Prix Weekend