In all F1 statistics, there are differences of interpretation which can lead to inconsistency among compilers. This edition of the 1996 Super Grid/Race highlights some of these.

In qualifying for the French GP, Eddie Irvine's time of 1:17.443 was disallowed because of a technical infringement, and he started the race from the last position on the grid. It is interesting point that, surely, his official grid time was "No Time", and so well outside the 107% time. However, he did start the race. For Super Grid purposes, his time has been given as 1:17.443, while the position used was 22nd. If he had taken his appropriate position on the grid (10th), his average position would have been 7.11; as it was, his average grid position following France was 8.44.

Similarly, at the British GP, Riccardo Rosset's time of 1:30.529 was disallowed for another technical infringement and he also was allowed to start from the back of the grid. His time for Super Grid purposes has been set at 1:30.529, and his grid position as 20th.

For the French GP, Johnny Herbert was disqualified. For the purposes of the Super Race, he has had a race credited to his total, but he has been "classified" as finishing last.

In that same race, the engine on Michael Schumacher's car blew up on the formation lap. To some compilers, the fact that Schumacher took the grid means that he "started" the race. For the purposes of the Super Race, it is necessary for the driver to actually start the race, ie. cross the start line at the official start. Therefore, Schumacher did not start the race and has been marked as such. (Schumacher's case is even more interesting for compilers of overall F1 statistics. If he did not participate in the race and so is not credited with one, then who was on pole position?)

Damon Hill remains in pole position for 1996, now nearly 0.5 seconds ahead of Michael Schumacher. Schumacher is having an interesting battle with Jacques Villeneuve for the other spot on the front row.

 DRIVER        TEAM           TOTAL       AVG.    AVG.
                               TIME       TIME    POS.

 Hill           WIL         832.520   1:23.252    1.40
 Schumacher     FER         837.253   1:23.725    2.50
 Villeneuve     WIL         837.574   1:23.757    3.40
 Alesi          BEN         842.624   1:24.262    4.30
 Berger         BEN         845.121   1:24.512    6.20
 Irvine         FER         846.195   1:24.620    8.60
 Barrichello    JOR         846.359   1:24.636    6.70
 Hakkinen       MCL         846.674   1:24.667    7.30
 Coulthard      MCL         849.276   1:24.928    9.10
 Frentzen       SAU         851.650   1:25.165   10.40
 Brundle        JOR         853.188   1:25.319   11.90
 Panis          LIG         853.995   1:25.400   12.40
 Salo           TYR         854.163   1:25.416   12.30
 Verstappen     FOO         855.207   1:25.521   12.70
 Herbert        SAU         856.681   1:25.668   13.60
 Katayama       TYR         858.888   1:25.889   15.00
 Diniz          LIG         863.178   1:26.318   17.00 
 Lamy           MIN         868.487   1:26.849   18.60
 Rosset         FOO         870.887   1:27.089   19.50
 Badoer         FOR         887.635   1:28.764   21.00
 ---107% of pole---         890.796   1:29.079
 Montermini     FOR         894.643   1:29.464   21.70

 Marques        MIN   *     173.923   1:26.962   16.50
 Fisichella     MIN   *     691.336   1:26.417   17.63

Villeneuve has taken the lead in the Super Race, due to Hill's failure in Britain and Villeneuve's win. Although their average position is equal, Villeneuve is classified higher as he has completed more laps.

The recent spate of Ferrari failures has seen Schumacher and Eddie Irvine take a bit of a tumble, to say the least.

     DRIVER        TEAM        AVG.   LAPS   LAPS
                               POS.    673    LED

  1. Villeneuve     WIL        4.90    613    189
  2. Hill           WIL        4.90    548    362
  3. Hakkinen       MCL        7.10    610
  4. Alesi          BEN        7.60    529     32
  5. Berger         BEN        8.40    498
  6. Coulthard      MCL        9.00    512     19
  7. Schumacher     FER   *    9.11    387     55
  8. Barrichello    JOR        9.70    489
  9. Panis          LIG        9.90    485     16
 10. Brundle        JOR       11.20    448
 11. Salo           TYR       11.30    441
 12. Herbert        SAU   *   11.33    484
 13. Irvine         FER       11.70    349
 14. Frentzen       SAU       11.80    489
 15. Diniz          LIG       11.80    454
 16. Badoer         FOR   *   12.83    283
 17. Lamy           MIN       13.30    409
 18. Verstappen     FOO       14.70    309
 19. Fisichella     MIN   *   15.25    256
 20. Katayama       TYR       15.50    258
 21. Rosset         FOO       15.70    300
 22. Montermini     FOR   *   17.60    119
 23. Marques        MIN   *   19.00     33

Raw data is copyright FIA/FOCA. These compilations are copyright Rory Gordon.

Reproduction and/or use is permitted provided that it is only for private, personal use. All other use requires the permission of the compiler.

It is quite possible that there may be errors in these compilations and the compiler accepts no responsibility whatsoever.