News From The Paddock - Monaco GP
Thursday May 13th, 1999

Rubens Barrichello, today

  • This event is Rubens Barrichello's 100th Grand Prix. The Brazilian driver had originally thought he had reached this milestone in Imola a fortnight ago. However, it appears that technically, he did not start last year's Belgian Grand Prix because of the accident at the first aborted start. He is wearing a special silver helmet this weekend to celebrate his century. The Stewart driver said he had mixed emotions about this event, where he came second two years ago. "Driving around the streets is a fantastic emotion, but it is also very dangerous."

  • On Tuesday, a team of F1 drivers played a football match against the Star Team For Children. This was a charity game to raise money for Save The Children. The Stars won by a convincing 5 - 2 margin under the captaincy of Prince Albert of Monaco. His line-up included Max Biaggi and Alberto Tomba. Michael Schumacher captained the F1 drivers, scoring a goal which would not have disgraced a First Division game. There was a worrying moment for McLaren when David Coulthard injured his foot, but team boss Ron Dennis assured everyone that he was completely fit.

  • The McLaren team has brought no less than five chassis to Monaco, evidently expecting a few brushes with the barriers.

  • As BMW starts to gear up for its Formula One comeback in 2000, it has begun to look for more qualified staff. The German company, which will launch its partnership with Williams next season, has poached top designer Alan Cowell from Cosworth. Cowell was heavily involved in this year's Ford engine which is showing very well at the moment in the back of the Stewarts.

  • Rumour has it that fast food giant Burger King might be about to tie up a deal with the Benetton F1 team. There is a certain logic behind the move as Autogrill, a Benetton owned company has just signed a deal for Burger King to open restaurants at all its motorway services in Italy.

  • Ilmor Engineering, builders of the Mercedes V10 engines used by the West McLaren Mercedes F1 cars, has recently been honoured with the Queens Award for Industry, in recognition of the company's contribution to the British export market.

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