February 1992


02.02.92 - DAYTONA 24 HOURS
The Japanese-crewed Nissan R91 ran a virtually flawless race on the way to an overpowering record victory. Co-drivers Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Toshio Suzuki beat the second placed Jaguar XRJ-12 by nine laps on the 3.56 mile circuit. The R91 gave Nissan its first international 24-hour victory averaging 112.897mph over the 762 laps beating Jaguar's old record of 112.857mph. The Nissan R90 of Geoff Brabham, Chip Robinson and Bob Earl was forced to quit with a seized engine.





04.02.92 - F1
The Jordan Grand Prix team have signed Brazilian driver Mauricio Gugelmin for the new Formula One season. The former British F3 champion will team up with Stefano Modena after spending four years with Leyton House. "This is a great opportunity for me. The team is young and strong and they have a very good package for 1992 in Gary Anderson's new car and the Yamaha V12 engine," Gugelmin said. Team boss Eddie Jordan said Gugelmin had a vital role in helping them build on the foundation laid in 1991.

Alain Prost heads the list of drivers scrambling to find a Formula 1 seat for the season before the deadline runs out at midnight on Wednesday. Prost tested for Ligier on Tuesday and is tipped to sign for the French team. Bertrand Gachot, Andrea de Cesaris, Emanuele Pirro, Karl Wendlinger and Erik Comas all have at least $1 million in sponsorship but Mark Blundell has no backing and is likely to miss out. Leyton House hope to make a decision today but Tyrrell, Brabham and Larrouse expect discussions to last another day.

Swiss team Sauber, former motorsport partners of Mercedes Benz, have announced they are take part in the 1993 Formula One World Championship. The team say Benetton's rising star Michael Schumacher and Austrian Karl Wendlinger will drive for them.





05.02.92 - F1
Brabham Grand Prix team have signed female racing driver Giovanna Amati to race alongside Eric van de Poele. The 29-year-old Italian is the first female Grand Prix driver since Lella Lombardi entered 12 races in the 1970s and finished sixth in Spain in 1975. She replaces 1988 Japanese F3 Champion Akahiki Nakaya who was refused a Superlicence by FISA because he did not have enough racing experience. "I have dreamed about being in F1 ever ever since I was a little girl," said Amati.

Alain Prost looks unlikely to sign for Ligier before the midnight deadline, according to sources at Ligier. Despite intense negotiations in Estoril where Prost is testing for Ligier the team is set to register Thierry Boutsen and Erik Comas later today. But the regulations allow Ligier to make two driver changes during the year so the triple world champion may still sign for the team. But if he does not do so before the first race on March 1 in South Africa he is unlikely to do so at all in 1992.

Mercedes have said Benetton star Michael Schumacher is contracted to Sauber and will have to drive for them when they enter F1 in 1993. Benetton believed that under a deal with Mercedes Schumacher would only leave them for a Mercedes works team. Benetton boss Flavio Briatori has refused to comment on press reports. But Mercedes competition director Jochen Neerpasch said the contract was with Sauber and not Mercedes. Sauber will use Ilmor engines under another name and test in September.




06.02.92 - F1
Alain Prost may still sign for Ligier despite not registering before the midnight deadline. Prost has been testing for the team in Estoril and negotiations are still throught to be going on. Thierry Boutsen and Erik Comas have been named as Ligier's drivers but two changes are allowed during the year. Guy Ligier declined to comment on Prost in Paris, while Prost has constantly refused to discuss his future except to say that he has made no decision.

Formula One driver Michael Schumacher has been ordered back to England by Benetton after reports that he will be racing for the Sauber team in 1993. Schumacher was due to test in France until the end of the week but now faces questions from managing director Flavio Briatori and owner Tom Walkinshaw. Sauber said on Tuesday they would enter F1 in 1993 and the German hot-shot would be one of their drivers. Briatori and Walkinshaw were expected to meet Schumacher today.


Entries for the 1992 F1 Championship:
McLAREN   A Senna      Brz  Honda V12
          G Berger     Aus  Honda V12
TYRRELL   O Grouillard Fr   Ilmor V10
          A Zanardi    It   Ilmor V10
WILLIAMS  N Mansell    GB   Renault V10
          R Patrese    It   Renault V10
BRABHAM   EV de Poele  Be   Judd V10
          G Amati      It   Judd V10
FOOTWORK  M Alboreto   It   Mugen V10
          A Suzuki     Jpn  Mugen V10
LOTUS     M Hakkinen   Fin  Ford V8
          J Herbert    GB   Ford V8
FONDMETAL G Tarquini   It   Ford V8
          A Chiesa     It   Ford V8
MARCH     K Wendlinger Ger  Ilmor V10
          P Belmondo   Fr   Ilmor V10
BENETTON  M Brundle    GB   Ford V8
          M Schumacher Ger  Ford V8
DALLARA   JJ Lehto     Fin  Ferrari V12
          P Martini    It   Ferrari V12
MINARDI   G Morbidelli It   Lamborghini
          C Fittipaldi It   Lamborghini
LIGIER    T Boutsen    Bel  Renault V10
          E Comas      Fr   Renault V10
FERRARI   J Alesi      Fr   Ferrari V12
          I Capelli    It   Ferrari V12
LARROUSSE U Katayama   Jpn  Lamborghini
          B Gachot     Bel  Lamborghini
ANDREA    A Caffi      It   Judd
  MODA    E Bertaggia  It   Judd
JORDAN    S Modena     It   Yamaha V12
          M Gugelmin   Brz  Yamaha V12



10.02.92 - F1
Slim-line Nigel Mansell is raring to go in his bid to win this year's world championship. Mansell, who is jetting back to his Florida home to make final preparations for the opening race on March 1, said: "I intend to win the championship."

He added: "I have lost weight and feel very fit. I am raring to go and just waiting for the first race. We have just completed seven days testing in Estoril and things are looking good. The vehicles are performing well."

Formula One team Jordan have announced a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Sasol, a South African petro-chemicals company. Fellow-British team Lotus have also secured a new deal - a œ1 million-plus agreement with Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi.




12.02.92 - SWEDISH RALLY
Kenneth Eriksson has lost the chance of repeating his 1991 win after Mitsubishi pulled out because the event does not count towards the constructors' title. Mazda have also withdrawn from the four day battle, starting on Thursday, after a problem over wheels for their cars. Nissan driver Stig Blomqvist will be going for his eighth Swedish win but faces stiff opposition from Finns Ari Vatanen and Markku Alen. Britain's Colin McRae, who partners Vatanen in the Subaru team, is the only non-Scandinavian taking part.




13.02.92
SWEDISH RALLY:- Subaru driver Ari Vatanen has crashed out of the event after the 2.5km first special stage. The Finn rolled his car twice on a fast right-hand bend, badly damaging the vehicle, but he and co-driver Bruno Berglund escaped unhurt. Marku Alen, Mats Jonsson and Stig Blomqvist finished the opening stage as joint leaders but Jonsson moved ahead on the next. Britain's Colin McRae improved into second place but Blomqvist lost time when a tyre on his Nissan exploded.


Latest position after 4 of 31 stages:
 Accumulated penalties        hrs mins secs
 1 M Jonsson   Swe   Toyota       31.58
 2 C McRae     GB    Subaru       32.26
 3 S Blomqvist Swe   Nissan       32.33
 4 M Alen      Fin   Toyota       33.00
 = L Lampi     Fin   Mitsubishi   33.00
 6 L Asterhag  Swe   Toyota       33.03
 7 S Nilsson   Swe   Mitsubishi   33.05
 8 S Lindholm  Swe   Ford         33.16
 9 K Backlund  Swe   Mitsubishi   33.20
10 B Johansson Swe   Mazda        33.26

F1:- The Tyrrrell Formula One team are renewing their famous partnership with the Elf fuel company for the 1992 GP season. The pair first joined forces in 1968.





14.02.92
F1:- Tyrrell have signed Andrea de Cesaris to replace Alessandro Zanardi for this year's Formula One Championship. Team owner Ken Tyrrell said Zanardi had been originally named because of the February 5 FISA deadline. He added: "We had to nominate two drivers without the necessary contracts being in place. We subsequently were able to negotiate with Andrea." De Cesaris has competed in 165 races since his debut in 1980, more than any other driver except Riccardo Patrese.

SWEDISH RALLY:- Mats Jonsson still holds the advantage after day two but Colin McRae and Stig Blomqvist have closed the gap. McRae astonished Jonsson with his speed on Special Stages 13 and 14, leaving the Swede only 24 seconds in front. Sebastian Lindholm who was second at the end of the first day was forced to retire with a broken gearbox. 65 cars reached the overnight halt at Falun.



Latest position after 15 of 31 stages:
 Accumulated penalties     hrs mins secs
 1 M Jonsson   Swe   Toyota     2:32.55
 2 C McRae     GB    Subaru     2:33.19
 3 S Blomqvist Swe   Nissan     2:34.21
 4 M Alen      Fin   Toyota     2:35.03
 5 L Asterhag  Swe   Toyota     2:36.18
 6 L Lampi     Fin   Mitsubishi 2:36.58
 7 P Eklund    Swe   Subaru     2:38.31
 8 B Johansson Swe   Mazda      2:39.10
 9 S Nilsson   Swe   Mitsubishi 2:40.35
10 K Backlund  Swe   Mitsubishi 2:41.37



15.02.92
F1:- Brazilian Nelson Piquet has quit the Formula 1 circuit to race in the Indianapolis 500 in the United States. Piquet, three-times world champion in 1981, 1983 and 1987, said he would sit out the 1992 season because he was not interested in driving for Benetton. "I've been thinking of racing only if I had a competitive car. I spoke with some teams but an agreement wasn't possible," said Piquet. "I was made a good offer to race in the Indy 500 so I took it," he added. The identity of the team is unknown but he will race a Lola with a Buick engine.

NEWS:- Martin Donnelly, who narrowly escaped death during practice for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, makes his racing comeback in the Nutts Corner rallycross meeting at Larne, Northern next month.



SWEDISH RALLY
Latest position after 22 of 31 stages:
 Accumulated penalties     hrs mins secs
 1 M Jonsson   Swe   Toyota     3:58.15
 2 C McRae     GB    Subaru     3:58.50
 3 S Blomqvist Swe   Nissan     4:00.04
 4 M Alen      Fin   Toyota     4:00.48
 5 L Asterhag  Swe   Toyota     4:03.12
 6 P Eklund    Swe   Subaru     4:07.08
 7 B Johansson Swe   Mazda      4:08.41
 8 S Nilsson   Swe   Mitsubishi 4:11.44
 9 L Lampi     Fin   Mitsubishi 4:12.28
10 S Eriksson  Fin   Nissan     4:14.59




16.03.92

SWEDISH RALLY:- Result after 31 stages:
 Accumulated penalties     hrs mins secs
 1 M Jonsson   Swe   Toyota     5:24.37
 2 C McRae     GB    Subaru     5:25.16
 3 S Blomqvist Swe   Nissan     5:26.09
 4 M Alen      Fin   Toyota     5:26.25
 5 L Asterhag  Swe   Toyota     5:30.53
 6 P Eklund    Swe   Subaru     5:35.12
 7 B Johansson Swe   Mazda      5:38.58
 8 L Lampi     Fin   Mitsubishi 5:41.51
 9 S Nilsson   Swe   Mitsubishi 5:44.12
10 J Kytolehto Fin   Mitsubishi 5:49.29
Mats Jonsson led from start to finish in his Toyota to clinch his first world rally championship win, just 39 seconds ahead of Colin McRae. The Scotsman kept up a strong challenge throughout the rally, winning five of the 31 special stages in his Subaru, but the experienced Swede held on. Jonsson's compatriot Stig Blomqvist was third in a Nissan, 1 min, 32 secs off the pace with Finn Markku Alen driving a Toyota in fourth. The Group N class was won by local man Soren Nilsson in a Mitsubishi Galant.

After round two - Swedish Rally
DRIVERS
1 D Auriol    Fr   Lancia     20 pts
= M Jonsson   Swe  Toyota     20
3 C Sainz     Sp   Toyota     15
= C McRae     GB   Subaru     15
5 J Kankkunen Fin  Lancia     12
= S Blomqvist Swe  Nissan     12

MANUFACTURERS
1 Lancia     20 pts
2 Toyota     17
3 Ford       12
4 Mitsubishi  8
5 Nissan      6



17.02.92 - F3
Britain's most successful F3 team, West Surrey Racing, will switch from Ralt to a Reynard 923 chassis to defend the British F3 championship title.





18.02.92 - TOURING CAR
Former British Sports Car Champion Tim Harvey is to drive a BMW for the Vic Lee Motorsport team in this year's British Touring Car championship.




24.02.92 - F1
Team Lotus have been boosted by a new sponsorship deal with Hitachi less than a week before the start of the new Formula One season in South Africa. The electronics firm have agreed to pay an undisclosed sum and their name will be carried on the Norfolk-based team's revamped Ford-powered 102D cars. Drivers Johnny Herbert and Mika Hakkinen have been delighted by the car's performance in testing. "There are going to be one or two very surprised people around in Formula One this year," Herbert commented.





25.02.92 - F1
Former world champion Alain Prost will not race in the season-opening F1 race in South Africa as negotiations to join the Ligier-Renault team remain in limbo. Negotiations are expected to continue between the two parties, with a final decision being announced on March 16. Fellow-Frenchman Erik Camas will drive the Ligier-Renault car at Kyalami on Sunday. Thierry Boutsen of Belgium is the team's other driver.





26.02.92 - F1. NIGEL MANSELL ON THE RACE AND THE SEASON
I go into the new season in good shape: because I have spent the winter at my new home in Florida concentrating on my personal fitness fitness programme and life with my family. I have not read English newspapers, magazines or watched any TV because I want my objectives focused entirely on doing a better job than I have done in any previous year. This year I have made more commitment than ever before to the team and I will be in Europe all summer, ready to go testing with just 30 minutes notice.

I am looking forward to going back to Kyalami for the first race because I was the winner of the last Grand Prix in South Africa in 1985. As well as winning the race I was on pole position so to go back after such a long time to defend that victory will be really nice. We have decided we will be using active suspension on all our cars after a very successful test earlier this month in Portugal.

After 21 Grand Prix wins and being runner-up in the championship three times I really do believe I have a good chance of winning the title this year. If I didn't believe that I would retire. I want the championship. I don't know if I'm going to get it but I'm going to try. I want to help Canon Williams to win the constructors' championship as well. If we achieve that then we will be in a position where Riccardo Patrese or I - hopefully me - will be in position to try and win the drivers title.

There will be no team orders at Canon Williams. Riccardo's race car will be exactly the same as mine but I will have the spare car. We will both have the same equipment which is good and fair . That's the policy of the Williams team and it keeps everyone honest. I think you will find there will be some races where he will be very quick and some races where I will be quicker.

My biggest rival has got to be world champion Ayrton Senna again. He is the only driver willing to go down to the wire and - I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way - I'm the only driver who will go to the limit racing with him. What we have got to hope is that we both have the equipment behind us to repeat the spectacles we had last year. Gerhard Berger is not far behind us. And with Jean Alesi, if his talent is going to come to fruitition at Ferrari, it is going to have to be this year.

My biggest disappointment is that there are no special qualifying tyres. It was bad enough on some circuits in past years trying to do two laps without traffic when we did have qualifying tyres. But to have 30 cars potentially on racing tyres for the whole hour trying to qualify is going to be a nightmare. We are obviously paid to do a job but I think this year it is going to be the hardest ever since 1982.

As far as the rest of my racing career is concerned I will carry on racing as long as I have the chance to compete for the world championship. I have already had contracts offered to me for 1993 and 1994. I am not going to say if they are in F1 or elsewhere. My future in F1 depends on the support of the sponsors, Williams, Renault and the manufacturers I am interested in. As long as the support and dedication is there I will have the enthusiasm to carry on. The day I feel I am losing my speed and commitment I will quit.

JOHN WATSON - RACE AND SEASON PREVIEW Another season is upon us...it seems like only yesterday that the teams were packing up and leaving Australia. It seems to have been a very short winter. It's okay for the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. They have been able to go away and test their new cars. For others - Tyrrell, Leyton House, Brabham - it has purely been a winter of trying to survive. The recession is having an effect at some levels in Formula One but the good teams will get better and the gap will therefore widen...

Financially strapped teams will clearly have to cut their cloth according to their budget - but that does not bode a bad season. Any small team that survives could pick up points but it will be especially tough as the opening three races are "flyaways", all outside Europe. The top 10 teams have transportation costs paid for them, the others don't. For them, it's like facing Becher's Brook at the start of the National. Luxuries will be trimmed, there will be be less extravagance, in essence, an austere start for many teams...

There will be changes this season - and one of the most noticeable is the move back to a one-tyre supplier. Goodyear will be looking after all 32 cars. Fundamentally I feel it is a positive step. There won't be any qualifying tyres as we have seen before, and just two sets per qualifying session. Some drivers say it will make it even more difficult but I think it will even out from one session to another. It's horses for courses. From the spectators' point of view it means more interest in qualifying and pre-qualifying...

The first race of the year is at the brand new circuit at Kyalami in South Africa, some 5,000ft above sea level. On Thursday afternoon there will be two one-hour untimed sessions, the first opportunity everybody will have to test here in 1992. It makes it a bit of a lottery and no-one knows quite what to expect - but don't expect any major surprises. The lower part of the old circuit now comprises the new F1 circuit and the new section extends down the side of the hill and into a valley, 2.647 miles long with a 72-lap race distance.

The general consensus is that Kyalami will not be the easiest overtaking circuit, according to reports, but passing is tight everywhere these days. The whole facility - the pits, media areas and viewing - is said to be the state of the art with no expense spared. The natural rise and fall of the circuit adds character as well as making it picturesque. The rainstorms often strike in mid-afternoon. The organisers have succeeded in creating a circuit up to GP standard, with amenities that are second to none.

If I were a betting man, one has to accept that the championship favourites this year must be McLaren and Senna - principally on historical grounds. 1992 is going to be the year where all the strenghths McLaren has as a team are going to be dovetailed with new technical innovation. Expect McLaren's semi-automatic gearbox and re-active suspension, plus Honda's phenomenal ability in maintaining their competitive engine, and ongoing development of designer fuel from Shell. McLaren have yet to announce which specifications they will use at Kyalami.

Many people will be wondering why two world champions, Prost and Piquet, do not have seats in 1992. In Piquet's case, Benetton weren't interested in him, although he claims he did not want to drive for them anyway! It all comes down to self-perception as well as a team's view of you. No top team perceived him to be worthy of a place. Piquet has been around for 13 seasons and now does not have the right balance of experience and speed to match his financial requests.

Why Alain Prost does not have a seat as yet for 1992 is a more complicated problem. He effected his own firing from Ferrari by involving himself too much in the politics - Ferrari finally cried enough. Since then he has attempted a takeover of the Ligier team and his demands are such that even the French government, who indirectly support Ligier, have said enough as well. I just wish Prost could revert to what he was born to be - a champion in a racing car.

Nigel Mansell is the most dangerous threat to Ayrton Senna for this year's world championship. Mansell just gets better and better. With the potential advantage he will have with his Williams Renault, and if the heavens smile on him, Mansell can become the first British world champion in a decade and a half. In my opinion this would be no bad thing for Formula One - but remember that McLaren and Senna don't rely on the heavens, or fate, or good luck. They make their own championships - and that's what Williams will have to do.

McLaren balance technical innovation with percentages, especially when racing is a long way from base. Scoring points in these first three races often can be your reserve at the end of the season. McLaren go on percentage rather than taking a chance on new innovations - and the driver-team balance is stronger this year as well. Senna will receive a harder time from Berger this year and so, on balance, McLaren has to be the bookies' favourite...

I am pleased to say that yet again Ken "Houdini" Tyrrell has escaped to race in Formula One yet again. Having lost the Honda V10 engine, a major sponsor, part of his design team, and his two drivers, Uncle Ken has bounced back. He has a revised 1991 car with the lighter and more compact Ilmor V10 engine, Elf sponsorship, and two new drivers in Grouillard and De Cesaris. Ironically, 1992 could turn out a much better year for Tyrrell than that he expected in 1991...

The Williams team with Mansell and Patrese are going to be, along with McLaren, the real focus of the season. Williams are capable of winning both championships, first of all because of the progress that has taken place in advanced technical areas. They had the benefit of racing for over a year with a semi-automatic gearbox and are now committed to their re-active suspension. To have the equipment that can provide such an advantage is exactly what Mansell has sought all his F1 career. It will all hinge on reliability...

Brabham Judd is one of the teams which has had a tough winter. One must say that if they are able to re-design the Yamaha-engined car to suit the Judd V10 engine they now use, we will have at least an engine that is a more known quantity. Van de Poele is the only driver in the team who can be taken seriously. While Miss Amati is extremely talented, it is a hard role she has fallen into. Formula One is now extremely physical and I am not sure that ability will be sufficient for her to compete successfully in Formula One.

Recovering from the most disastrous year in the team's history, Footwork have now secured the Honda V10 engine, branded Mugen. This should provide Footwork with a sound platform to begin their move forward after a season when even Jove's patience would have been tested. Alboreto is joined by Suzuki, who certainly has lots of speed but is still looking for the maturity necessary for results. This is a team that will have to pre-qualify one of its two cars. Which driver is not yet known.

Lotus Ford is the team that I believe we shall have to keep an eye on and while the prospect of them winning a GP is unlikely they do have the Ford HB V8. Hakkinen and Herbert are two young aggressive chargers, with a chassis that is sufficiently good and reliable to surprise more fancied teams. Fondmetal, like Lotus, have the potential to pick up results but I have to say that overall the drivers and team are not as strong as Lotus. Nonetheless, it would be wrong to dismiss out of hand Fondmetal's efforts.

March Ilmor is a team that has suffered more than most through the winter, with its future never being certain due to former owner Mr Akagi's detention at his Government's pleasure. Number one driver is Karl Wendlinger, who is joined by Paul Belmondo, son of actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. Belmondo has the unfortunate record of being one of the least successful drivers in F3000. His seat was secured on solely budgetry considerations. This reflects the financial situation of the team. It's a shame Wendlinger does not have better support.

Benetton Ford is an established team that has had major surgery throughout the winter - and much needed it was too. Six month's since Tom Walkinshaw's involvement at Benetton should begin to show results from the very first race. For the first time in the team's history there is direction and management where it should be. Brundle faces the best opportunity of his F1 career, joined by "wunderkind" Michael Schumacher. I am confident Brundle's ability will reflect immediately in the race results.

Dallara have taken over the Ferrari V12 engine from Minardi and also secured Minardi's number one of last year, Pierluigi Martini. This is a well-financed team and one would hope to see a better performance from the Ferrari engine in the Dallara chassis than we saw in the Minardi. For Minardi, take out a V12 Ferrari engine and shoehorn in an even larger Lamborghini V12! The Lambo engine is not bad, it's just very big. Not a team one can expect to be a front runner but could become a force in the competitive midfield of 1992.

Guy Ligier has finally secured the Renault V10 engine for his Magny-Cours based team. As last year, the driver line-up is Thierry Boutsen and Erik Comas. Whether Alain Prost has decided that he wants to be driver, politician, team manager or chief cook and bottle washer is not yet known! I just wish Prost would focus on what he does best - driving racing cars - but I am sure he will pay no heed to my advice...

Delete Larrousse's name and you have the background to the new Venturi Lamborghini team for 1992. A return to the Lamborghini engine is a plus and more financial stability for Larrousse may allow his team to finally make progress. Gachot has locked himself into a secure seat this year after his unexpected interlude last year. He now has a Japanese teammate to boot in Ukyo Katayama, who was F3000 champion in Japan but is not the most highly-rated of Japanese drivers.

The disarray that Ferrari found themselves in last year has resulted in the team looking backwards to the future instead of forwards. They have unlimited potential yet the best they have been able to do is bring back their mid-70s management team and Niki Lauda as consultant. To be successful today, Ferrari need a single figurehead - that's why McLaren and Williams succeed. I wish di Montizemelo and Lauder luck - they will need it, while Alesi and Capelli's fate lies solely in the hands of the Scuderia.

Jordan face almost a new start in 1992 - no longer in bright green livery, nor with the same driver/engine package. The switch to the Yamaha V12 engine is the correct move for one of the youngest teams in F1. Modena and Gugelmin will bring speed and maturity, and ultimately results.

Andrea Moda Judd was formerly Coloni and both cars will have to pre-qualify. I regret to say that this is as far as they will get. It is a great shame that Caffi could not find a better birth after an appalling season last year.





27.02.92 - F1
Nigel Mansell made a blistering start in his bid to win the world title as he led the way in unofficial practice for Sunday's South African Grand Prix. The 38-year-old Florida-based Brit was more than 1.5 seconds faster than his nearest rivals as drivers tried out the new Kyalami circuit for the first time. Mansell said: "I am very pleased. I just hope I can get on pole. It is going to make a big difference."

Friday's pre-qualifying has been called off after both Andrea Moda cars were ruled out for technical reasons.

FIA WORLD FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Second unofficial practice, Thu.mins secs
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:17.107
 2 G Berger     Aut McLaren    1:18.660
 3 A Senna      Brz McLaren    1:19.743
 4 R Patrese    It  Williams   1:19.807
 5 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:20.502
 6 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:20.588
 7 I Capelli    It  Ferrari    1:21.050
 8 M Brundle    GB  Benetton   1:21.342
 9 A De Cesaris It  Tyrrell    1:21.386
10 J Herbert    GB  Lotus Ford 1:21.587
11 G Morbidelli It  Minardi    1:21.734
12 T Boutsen    Bel Ligier     1:21.940
13 K Wendlinger Aut March      1:21.949
14 A Suzuki     Jpn Footwork   1:22.113
15 M Hakkinen   Fin Lotus Ford 1:22.389
16 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi    1:22.113
17 E Comas      Fr  Ligier     1:22.389
18 M Alboreto   It  Footwork   1:22.399
19 S Modena     It  Jordan     1:22.434
20 O Grouillard Fr  Tyrrell    1:22.686
21 M Gugelmin   Brz Jordan     1:22.808
22 JJ Lehto     Fin Dallara    1:23.134
23 B Gachot     Bel Venturi-L  1:24.015
24 U Katayama   Jpn Venturi-L  1:24.497
25 E vd Poele   Bel Brabham    1:25.045
26 A Chiesa     It  Fondmetal  1:25.068
27 P Martini    It  Dallara    1:26.923
28 P Belmondo   Fr  March      1:27.250
29 G Amati      It  Brabham    1:28.937
30 A Caffi      It  Andrea M   1:55.034
-- E Bertaggia  It  Andrea M DID NOT RUN



29.02.92 - F1
Nigel Mansell scorched to provisional pole for Sunday's South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Mansell never looked in danger of being knocked off top spot as he clocked 1 min 15.576 secs in the Williams, with Gerhard Berger second in 1:16.672. Ayrton Senna did his best to close the gap on Mansell in the McLaren but, after spinning in free practice, made more errors and was only third fastest. Pre-qualifying did not take place after the two Andrea Moda cars were ruled out due to a registration technicality.

Nigel Mansell looked backed on two superb days for the Williams team at Kyalami and looked forward to claiming pole position on Saturday. He said after setting by far the fastest time of the first qualifying session: "It is all credit to Renault, Elf and the Canon Williams team. "I had two clear laps and I feel I put a good lap together. I made one little mistake but the rest was pretty good." Ayrton Senna, third fastest, said: "Without qualifying tyres it's hard to really go for it on a single lap."


FIA WORLD FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Friday's first qualifying times:mins secs
 1 N Mansell    GB  Williams   1:15.576
 2 G Berger     Aut McLaren    1:16.672
 3 A Senna      Brz McLaren    1:16.815
 4 R Patrese    It  Williams   1:17.571
 5 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:18.251
 6 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:18.388
 7 A De Cesaris It  Tyrrell    1:18.544
 8 K Wendlinger Aut March      1:18.880
 9 I Capelli    It  Ferrari    1:19.039
10 J Herbert    GB  Lotus Ford 1:19.362
11 O Grouillard Fr  Tyrrell    1:19.473
12 T Boutsen    Bel Ligier     1:19.506
13 A Suzuki     Jpn Footwork   1:19.532
14 M Alboreto   It  Footwork   1:19.571
15 G Tarquini   It  Fondmetal  1:19.577
16 M Hakkinen   Fin Lotus Ford 1:19.672
17 M Brundle    GB  Benetton   1:19.885
18 E Comas      Fr  Ligier     1:19.970
19 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi    1:20.111
20 M Gugelmin   Brz Jordan     1:20.120
21 JJ Lehto     Fin Dallara    1:20.571
22 G Morbidelli It  Minardi    1:21.027
23 P Martini    It  Dallara    1:21.134
24 B Gachot     Bel Venturi-L  1:21.477
25 E vd Poele   Bel Brabham    1:21.648
26 S Modena     It  Jordan     1:22.020
27 P Belmondo   Fr  March      1:22.022
28 A Chiesa     It  Fondmetal  1:22.129
29 U Katayama   Jpn Venturi-L  1:22.170
30 G Amati      It  Brabham    1:25.942