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The F1 FAQ |
| by Mark Alan Jones, Australia | |
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Have a question about Formula One statistics or history? Well you're not the only one, and it's about time someone came up with the answers to Formula One's most Frequently Asked Questions. Send us your questions, to faq@atlasf1.com - we may not know everything, but we will sure make the effort to find out
"I heard that Giancarlo Fisichella had a fastest lap of the race last year. Which course was it and what was the time? Thanks, Patrick H, Australia" Giancarlo Fisichella did indeed record a fastest lap, but it wasn't last year. It was the 1997 Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona Circuit where Fisichella in the Jordan 197 Peugeot recorded a lap time of 1:22.242 with an average lap time of 206.96 kmph.
"Why did they do away with awarding points for pole position and fastest race lap? Thanks. Warren D. Ocoee, Florida, United States" Pole Position has never been worth a point in Formula One. Fastest lap has, however, but with timing in the 50's done only to the tenth of a second, it was only a matter of time before circumstance overtook technology. The 1954 British Grand Prix fastest lap was shared by seven drivers, Alberto Ascari (Maserati), Jean Behra (Gordini), Juan Manuel Fangio (Mercedes), Froilan Gonzalez (Ferrari), Mike Hawthorn (Ferrari), Onofre Marimon (Maserati) and Stirling Moss (Maserati). They each shared that point and took 0.14 points each. Silly, huh? After a couple more point-sharing exercises it was decided that finishing 6th in the larger fields of the 60's had more merit than the fastest lap.
"Hello. What about Montoya? Is he contracted with any F1 team for the future or will the keep racing in the CART series? He is obviously a man for F1. Regards Goran L. Sweden" Juan Pablo Montoya, the current star of the Champ Car World Series, has a development contract with Williams. If he comes over to Formula One it's either with Williams, or he has to get Williams' consent to race for another Formula One team. He wants to come to Formula One obviously. When and with who is in the laps of the gods.
"I want to know if Frank Williams is in a weal chair? Thong H. Clayton, Australia" Sir Francis Williams was and still is a racer, most people in the pit lane associated with Formula One are ex-drivers of some kind, from multiple world champions Alain Prost, Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart, to those who got to Formula One but didn't get the race wins, like Jackie Oliver and Guy Ligier, to drivers who raced in lower Formulae, like Max Mosley, Eddie Jordan, Tom Walkinshaw and Frank Williams. Williams switched into a team management role in 1969, running a Brabham BT26A Cosworth for Piers Courage under the banner of Frank Williams Racing. In 1977 Williams joined with Walter Wolf to produce the Wolf WR1 but split fairly quickly. In 1979 the team got its first win, in 1980 their first championship. By 1986 the were a force to be reckoned. Williams, quite a marathoner, was driving from Paul Ricard circuit, in 1986, on the way to the airport, went for a corner and crashed. Since then Williams has been confined to his wheel chair. He can, however, in recent years, stand with the aid of special supporting crutches and even move a step of two, but not more than that.
"Hi. Do you think you could send a line up of the 1988 season with the drivers, teams, and engines? It's the only season back to 1987 I can't find a line up for. thank you, Andrew, Canada" 1988 was that season where McLaren broke so many records for dominance of a season, where McLaren went into the season with only Ferrari as effective opposition. The teams of 1988? Here they are....
Camel Team Lotus Honda
Tyrrell Racing Organisation
Canon Williams Team
West Zakspeed Racing
Honda Marlboro McLaren
Automobiles Gonfaronaise Sportive
Leyton House March Racing Team
USF&G Arrows Megatron
Benetton Formula
Osella Squadra Corse
Rial Racing
Lois Minardi Team
Ligier Loto
Scuderia Ferrari
Larrousse Calmels
Coloni
EuroBrun Racing
Scuderia Italia
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| Mark Alan Jones | © 1999 Atlas Formula One Journal. |
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