Another new Honda team member

Arrows chief designer Mike Coughlan is about to leave the team and become assistant technical director for the new Honda F1 team, alongside Harvey Postlethwaite. The 39 year old Englishman has been John Barnard's right hand man for many years and was with him at Ferrari. He has also worked for Lotus, Benetton and Tyrrell.

South Africa testing

Bernie Ecclestone has promised the South African government that the Kyalami circuit will host a major F1 test session at the beginning of next year. Ecclestone met with President Mandela after the Hungarian GP. The new political government is keen for F1 to return to the country which last staged a GP in 1993. However, there are currently too many events on the calendar, but Ecclestone said there would be a race in South Africa as soon as possible and that he had signed a contract to this effect. The first available date would probably be 2001 when some of the current race contracts expire.

Special Honour

At the time of the grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the Belgian government honoured some of its most famous racing drivers. Paul Frere, Olivier Gendebien and Jacky Ickx were all made "Officers of the Order of the Crown."

Ferrari Dinner

Having completed their 600th Grand Prix at Spa, Ferrari held a huge celebration dinner at Monza. It was attended by several drivers from their glorious history. There was also an on-track parade of some of their famous cars. John Surtees in a 1950 - F1 375; Phil Hill the 1961 World Champion in the F1 246 he drove in 1958; Rene Arnoux at the wheel of a 1975 312 T2; Michele Alboreto in the F1-86; Gerhard Berger in the F-1 412 T2 and Luca Badoer in the 1996 F 310.

Safer for spectators

A new rule will be introduced at the start of next season, to reduce the risk of drivers and equally importantly spectators, from being injured by flying wheels after accidents. The matter was raised after the Belgian GP crashes, but in fact the new rule has been planned for some time. The new rule should be approved at a meeting of the Formula 1 commission later in September. Wheels will be kept attached to the cars by a cable running from the chassis, along the wheel upright and then along the lower suspension wishbone to the wheel.

Mechanic hurt

A Ferrari mechanic was hurt when fans crushed him when Ferrari was packing their things.