Frank Williams, Adrian Newey and Patrick Head are not expected at the start of the Senna trial next week. Williams has always said that he would be there but the Williams now stated: "Obviously, the Williams team personnel will be appearing at the trial. However, we have been in discussions with our legal team and they advised us it is not necessary for Williams' personnel to be present on Thursday, February 20."
The most likely day that the trial will continue after February 20 is February 28. The trial is expected to last for six months.
Alain Prost is ready to buy Ligier after he has signed a deal with Peugeot to use their engines from 1998.
Eddie Jordan has given his permission to Prost buying Ligier only after being pressured by Max Mosley, this was reported by the French sports newspaper 'L'Equipe'.
Now all teams have agreed that the name of the Ligier team can become Prost-Mugen-Honda for the 1997 season. The team will be presented this Friday.
The Ferrari team completed their test on the Estoril (Portugal)track today. Michael Schumacher completed 31 laps in race trim with a best time of 1m 19.66s, which is a lap record at the circuit (previous lap record was set by David Coulthard a 1m 19.80s).
The Sauber team tested at the Fiorano (Italy) track again. Johnny Herbert drove 25 laps with a best time of 1m 02.40. This time is more than two seconds slower than the fastest time set by Eddie Irvine. Herbert suffered some transmission problems.
Damon Hill tested on the Barcelona (Spain) track again with the new Yamaha V10 evolution. He clocked a best time of 1m 21.00 (40 laps).
The Benson and Hedges Total Jordan Peugeot team today successfully completed its four day test of the Jordan-Peugeot 197 in Jerez, Spain. The dramatically coloured yellow and black car completed a total of 129 laps, with the driving split between Giancarlo Fisichella (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and Ralf Schumacher (Monday).
With Ralf Schumacher suffering from flu, Giancarlo Fisichella took to the wheel on Friday 7th February, reversing the scheduled testing order. His first impressions of the car were good; ''The car has good downforce and grip,'' he commented, ''and overall it feels very promising.'' Unfortunately time was lost with seat fittings and solving an electronic problem, and the day's testing finished earlier than planned due to a rear lower wing problem. A total of 17 laps were completed.
On Saturday 8th February testing continued with Fisichella under windy and dusty conditions. The team concentrated on improving oil pick-up for the engine, running maximum and minimum oil levels, and on obtaining data for Peugeot. The rear wing problem persisted, so that testing was limited to short laps, and a total of 20 were completed, with a fastest time of 1.23.30.
Sunday 9th proved to be a very productive day of testing. Changes to the seat and pedals to make Fisichella more comfortable, together with a modified rear wing sent from the UK to solve the problems experienced in the previous days, meant that 47 laps were completed in a best time of 1.21.86 (with the car running with reasonable amounts of fuel). Work was also completed on the active differential.
On Monday 10th February Ralf Schumacher completed 45 laps under warm (65 degrees F) and less breezy conditions. During the morning session, in accordance with Peugeot engine testing, an excess of a race distance was completed with no problems, with Schumacher setting a best time of 1.21.64. The engine was changed over lunchtime but unfortunately problems were experienced with the second engine and only five laps were completed in the afternoon. Ralf Schumacher, however, was very pleased with his day at the track, saying he felt confident about the car and that he fully agreed with the comments made last week by Fisichella.
Jordan test summery courtesy of LiZER Motorsports International