Italy wants to extend GP contract; Tests
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Tuesday February 18, 1997

Monza (Italy) officials are seeking a renewal of their Grand Prix contract for another ten years. The dispute between environmentalists and the local council has been resolved and the council is pushing to a new deal with the FIA. This is in contrast with the possibility that Frank Williams and other officials will be convicted in the oncoming Senna trial. Max Mosley has already stated that Italy may loose their two Grands Prix, Monza and San Marino, if this happens.


Tests

Jacques Villeneuve chattered the track record on the Estoril (Portugal) track with more than a second. He clocked a best time of 1m 18.36s. The Canadian was closely followed by both the Benetton's: Gerhard Berger clocked a 1m 18.66s while Jean Alesi did a 1m 18.75s.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was fourth, was 1.2 seconds slower than his team-mate.

Gerhard Berger said after the tests that he was very happy with the new car.

Olivier Panis performed a Bridgestone tyre test on the Magny-Cours (France) circuit. The Frenchman drove 18 laps.

The Tyrrell team tested on the Silverstone (England) circuit today. Both Mika Salo and Jos Verstappen took the wheel of the new Tyrrell. Verstappen drove a best time of 1m 27.8s, Salo was somewhat slower with a time of 1m 30.2s.

Michael Schumacher tested the F310B on the Mugello (Italy) track. The German covered 51 laps with a best time of 1m 25.57s. He worked on the aerodynamic set-up and tested some new parts.


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