FIA seeks assurances from Stewart; McLaren sign Bridgestone deal; FIA publish provisional entry list
© 1997 ATLAS F1
Wednesday December 3, 1997

Stewart Grand Prix reacted swiftly to suggestions yesterday that it's team may not have the funding to compete in the 1998 World Championship Season

The FIA, in a letter to Stewart Grand Prix asked the team to submit proof that , "it will be in a position to take part in all rounds of the 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship."

The Malaysia Government announced recently that it had terminated it's sponsorship deal with Stewart, and rumours persist that Texaco is seriously evaluating their sponsorship deal with Stewart Grand Prix.

"As Stewart-Ford, in its debut season, scored six points and finished in the top 10 teams in the Constructors' World Championship, we are puzzled, to say the least, that we should have been singled out in this way," Jackie Stewart said.

"Our team has available to it financial resources considerably superior to those which it enjoyed for the 1997 season."

"We have the benefit of a strong and valuable technical partnership with Ford which comprises a works engine contract, as well as other benefits which will defray substantial costs associated with our entry for the 1998 championship."

McLaren sign Bridgestone deal

McLaren has signed a deal with Bridgestone for the 1998 season. They are currently testing at Barcelona. Many other teams are testing there. Williams tried out some new drivers yesterday in order to pick one to become their test driver. Jordan was unable to run at Silverstone due to technical problems.

FIA publish provisional entry list

The FIA published the following list yesterday with the official entries for the 1998 World Championship so far:

1. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) Williams
2. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) Williams
3. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari
4. Eddie Irvine (Britain) Ferrari
5. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Benetton
6. Alexander Wurz (Austria) Benetton
7. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren
8. Mika Hakkinen (Finland) McLaren
9. Damon Hill (Britain) Jordan
10. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Jordan
11. Olivier Panis (France) Prost
12. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Prost
14. Jean Alesi (France) Sauber
15. Johnny Herbert (Britain) Sauber
16. Pedro Diniz (Brazil) Arrows
17. Mika Salo (Finland) Arrows
18. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Stewart
19. Jan Magnussen (Denmark) Stewart

To be announced: Tyrrell and Minardi.
Note: Drivers may be nominated and/or changed until March 5, 1998.

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