Friday September 17th, 1999

McLaren Test at Magny-Cours

The McLaren-Mercedes team spent an intensive three days at Magny-Cours working on aerodynamic and engine developments in preparation for the European Grand Prix at Nurburgring.

On Tuesday David Coulthard set the pace in predominantly overcast and rainy conditions with a best of 1:17.58 while one of last year's MP4/13s was entrusted to West Competition Formula 3000 driver Mario Haberfeld who completed a careful 17 lap stint for a 1:20.90s best. The Brazilian was concentrating on running components for the 2000 season's car. On Wednesday the weather was again initially rainy and Coulthard produced a best of 1:17.57s. Mika Hakkinen joined the programme and recorded a 1:18.42s. On Thursday Hakkinen (1:17.59s) and Coulthard (1:17.51s) - who had an engine change because of an oil leak – ran in better weather conditions

A Fresh Monocoque for Irvine?

Ferrari ran from Tuesday until Thursday midday at Mugello, following which tests Eddie Irvine commented: "I am satisfied I have driven the best Ferrari I have experienced this season." It is being speculated over whether the chassis 191 - which he has been using until now and which had done some 10,000km - may have lost some of its rigidity. It is likely that Irvine will drive a car built round a newer monocoque (195) in the European Grand Prix. The overall verdict on Ferrari's tests was quite positive and Irvine tried some new components which may be used at Nurburgring. The only incident during the test was a slight off-track excursion by Mika Salo during a race distance simulation but this did not involve any damage. Today (Friday) Luca Badoer is running at Fiorano and Irvine will shake down all three race cars for the Nurburgring at Fiorano tomorrow.

Frentzen Alone in France

Heinz-Harald Frentzen tested alone at Magny-Cours for two days this week. On Wednesday during the wet he did some tyre evaluation and tried a new rear wing. His best time was 1:18.37s. On Thursday he put mileage on a revised Mugen Honda development engine and tried some new components intended for next year's car. His best was 1:17.64s. "We felt we were pretty close to the McLarens, wet or dry," said Technical Director Mike Gascoyne, "So you never know what might happen over the next few races."

Williams Run Intensive Three Days

Ralf Schumacher started the Williams team's test on Tuesday but was largely thwarted by the rainy conditions, managing a best of 1:18.37s when he went out on rain tyres during the afternoon, evaluating different compounds in different tread patterns. On Wednesday he completed only nine laps each in the wet conditions during the morning and afternoon, stopping after recording a best of 1:18.05s and also being thwarted by an oil leak. On Thursday Alex Zanardi took over and concentrating on comparing the two dry weather tyre choices available for the Nurburgring race. "Magny-Cours is a high downforce circuit," said Zanardi, "and I feel that we still have some work to do before we can perform well on this kind of track."

Herbert At Magny-Cours

While Rubens Barrichello spent some time in Brazil, Johnny Herbert was testing at Magny-Cours. On Wednesday he completed 72 laps on a wet track for a best time of 1:19.72s. "I am satisfied that we were able to complete the full test programme despite losing some running due to the rain," he said. "We improved the car in areas that cost me some performance at Monza qualifying, mostly on the aerodynamic balance." On Thursday he managed a best of 1:17.76s.

Benetton Stays in England

The Benetton Playlife team remained in Britain this week where test driver Laurent Redon tested on an RAF base near Bath, where he concentrated on aerodynamic testing. "The engineers were quite pleased with the progress," said a team spokesperson. Back at the factory the team was assessing the damage to Giancarlo Fisichella's car which was stripped by race fans after the end of the Italian Grand Prix, having spun off into a gravel trap early in the race. The engine cover, mirrors, brake cooling ducts and fuel hatch cover were amongst items ripped off the car and the engineers have yet to determine whether the chassis itself has been harmed.

Bernoldi Tests for Sauber

The Brazilian Formula 3000 driver Enrique Bernoldi, who is supported by Sauber partner Red Bull, got his first drive in a Formula One car at Magny-Cours. He drove one of the Sauber-Petronas C18s over two days, starting on Wednesday when he did just 20 laps due to the rain for a best time of 1:22.53s. On Thursday he did a race distance for a best time of 1:20.07s. "No mistakes and reasonable comments about the car," said a team engineer.

Meanwhile Pedro Diniz was testing wet weather tyres and the two types of dry weather tyre earmarked for Nurburging. He also tried new aerodynamic and suspension components. Diniz recorded a best of 1:19.58s on Tuesday, then 1:19.31s on Wednesday and 1:19.02s on Thursday. His only mechanical problems came on Tuesday when the fuel pump failed and the engine had to be partially removed for the pump to be changed.

Heidfeld Joins Panis for Prost Test

The Prost-Peugeot team began testing at Magny-Cours on Tuesday when Nick Heidfeld was again participating alongside Olivier Panis whom he will replace next season. Unfortunately he left the track at high speed on Tuesday following a rear suspension problem. For safety's sake, Panis's car was also stopped for a check over after which they resumed running on Wednesday when rain spoiled the test. Heidfeld managed a best time of 1:19.33s on Thursday, his fastest of the three days, while Panis got down to 1:18.48s on the same day.

Arrows Stay Back At Base

The Arrows team stayed back at base carrying out some in-house testing where developments on the braking system of the cars should yield some improvements. Pedro de la Rosa will shake down the three cars scheduled to go to Nurburgring at Santa Pod next Monday. There is no official word from the team as to whether Prince Malik Ado Ibrahim has resigned from the board of Arrows or not.

Engine Problems for BAR at Magny-Cours

British American Racing ran with one car at Magny-Cours, Ricardo Zonta setting a 1:20.38s best on Wednesday followed by Jacques Villeneuve posting 1:18.43s on Thursday. Both drivers had to stop for an engine change and Zonta's programme was delayed by heavy rain.

Minardi Stays At Base

The Minardi team is not testing this week but concentrating on development work in preparation for next year's car. "Discussions for an eventual take-over of the team are progressing step by step," said Gabriele Rumi.