02.09.92F1:- Nigel Mansell has hit out at both Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost and complained that he has been humiliated by his treatment by the Williams team. In an interview in the Swiss newspaper Blick, Mansell, whose future at Williams is still uncertain, described Senna's offer to drive for Williams for free as "rubbish". And he criticised the fact that Prost has already signed for Williams before his own future had been sorted out. "I'm last in line at Williams - the world champion is last in line. What a story," he complained.
Williams-Renault has not yet named its drivers for the 1993 season but Riccardo Patrese is certain he won't be one of the two. "Nobody told me to stay with Williams, thus I am seeking a new team for the next season," the Italian said at the Monza autodrome on Wednesday. Patrese said he had been talking with Benetton-Ford, McLaren Honda and Ligier about a drive for next season. The F-1 veteran also said he had been hoping to join Ferrari "but nobody called me at Maranello."
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Alencon) Positions after prologue: hrs mins secs 1 B Waldegard Swe Citroen 0:03:01 2 T Salonen Fin Citroen 0:03:01 3 P Lartigue Fr Citroen @ 3 secs 4 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 29 secs 5 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 38 secs 6 JP Ducroux Fr Toyota @ 41 secs 7 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 43 secs 8 I Borovikov CIS Lada @ 45 secs 9 D Comolli Fr Nissan @ 46 secs 10 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 47 secs 03.09.92F1:- Italian Formula One driver Riccardo Patrese has signed a two-year contract to drive for the Benetton-Ford team. Patrese is currently second in the world championship standings behind new champion Nigel Mansell. Patrese signed the contract, which begins from the 1993 season, at the Monza Autodrome, where he is preparing for the Italian Grand Prix. Patrese, 38, who has been Nigel Mansell's team-mate on the Williams-Renault team, joins Michael Schumacher and replaces Briton Martin Brundle.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY: Latest - Ambrosino won prologue in Warsaw on Thursday - Lartigue is the overall leader.
05.09.92F.RENAULT:- Championship leader Ivan Arias, 19, took pole for Sunday's P&O Formula Renault race at Pembrey. He was just three hundredths of a second faster than Britain's Christian Horner.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Warsaw) Positions after 19km 2nd prologue: hrs mins secs 1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 0:21.06 2 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen 0:21.26 3 H Auriol Fr Citroen 0:21.54 4 K Shinozuka Jap Nissan 0:21.56 5 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi 0:21.58 6 T Salonen Fin Citroen 0:22.11 7 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi 0:22.15 8 B Waldegard Swi Citroen 0:23.10 9 J Riviere Fr Nissan 0:25.00 10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan 0:25.56 07.09.92F1:- American Michael Andretti has signed to drive for the McLaren Formula One team in the 1993 world championship. The reigning Indy Car champion, son of former F1 champion Mario Andretti, will replace Ferrari-bound Gerhard Berger. Andretti has won 26 Indy Car races and captured 24 pole positions since 1986. He signed a contract with McLaren at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan but no details have been revealed.
SPORTSCARS:- Le Mans officials have snubbed FISA by announcing next year's 24-Hours race will be run as an independent event outside the World Sportscar Championship. Officials said it would open the French classic to virtually any sportscars, with entries invited from the world, American and Japanese championships. GT and Turbocars will be readmitted to run alongside current 3.5l Group C cars and a new open-cockpit prototype class will be introduced. This year's Le Mans, won by Peugeot, attracted just 8 starters.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Kazakhstan):- Bruno Saby won the fourth stage with a daring drive to move up to third place overall and set the 27 day rally alight. The Frenchman, in a Rothmans Mitsubishi finished the 423km stage from Yabalonka in Russia to Kamenka in Kazakhstan by five minutes 33 secs from Japanese teammate Kenjiro Shinozuka. The pair used shortcuts across fields to beat the previously dominant Citroen team and Shinozuka moved into second place overall behind Pierre Lartigue. Hubert Auriol dropped to fifth overall after finishing sixth in his Citroen.
Overall standings after stage 4:
hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 1:54.02
2 B Waldegard Swe Citroen 0:03.37
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi 0:04.51
4 K Shinozuka Jap Mitsubishi 0:06.40
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen 0:12.10
6 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi 0:18.26
7 T Salonen Fin Citroen 0:25.29
8 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen 0:36.29
9 J Houssat It Perlini 1:14.56
10 M Vallaro It Nissan 1:16.11
08.09.92
F1:- Italian Formula One team Andrea Moda have been banned from the 1992 world
world championship for tarnishing the image of the sport, FISA have
said. Andrea Moda boss Antonio Sassetti was arrested at the Spa-Francorchamps
track in Belgium two weeks ago and charged with alleged fraud. The decision
takes immediate effect and the team cars, driven by Briton Perry McCarthy and
Brazilian Roberto Moreno, are excluded from Sunday's Italian GP. Because of
the ban, there will be no pre-qualifying at Monza on Friday.Essex driver Perry McCarthy's Formula One hopes lay in ruins after his Italian team Andrea Moda were banned from this year's world championship. But the Billericay man put on a brave face and said: "Given the problems I've endured with the team, it makes very little difference to me. I fully understand FISA's position but, as for me, the fight to reach the top in Formula One goes on. It's taken me 10 years to get here and I'm not about to let it all go," he added.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Kazakhstan):- Bruno Saby closed the gap between him and leader Pierre Lartigue after taking the fifth stage to Kenkiyak. Saby and Lartigue reached speeds of over 120mph across the treeless plains in searing heat but second-placed Brian Waldegard punctured 150km from the end. Saby, of the Rothmans Mitsubishi team, stole over three minutes on Lartigue to leap into second spot overall. Finland's Tino Salonen and co-driver Christian Delferier escaped serious injury after jumping from their burning Citroen ZX at over 80mph.
Overall standings after stage 5:
hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 3:21.21
2 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 0:01.33
3 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 0:08.27
4 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 0:18.37
5 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi 0:23.05
6 K Shinozuka Jap Mitsubishi 0:59.10
7 S Servia Sp Nissan 2:46.26
8 JP Fontenay Fr Mitsubishi 2:54.34
9 I Borovikov CIS Lada 4:05.21
10 G Vismara It Land Rover 4:06.26
09.09.92 - JOHN WATSON ON THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
After a somewhat premature start, the 1992 silly season is starting to live
up to its name and amongst the growing rumours are a number of facts. The most
important and far-reaching of which is McLaren International's announcement
that Michael Andretti is to join their team next year. It is long overdue for
a top American driver to be a part of F1 racing and it could be the key to
more commercial involvement by America in the sport. Equally important should
be an American Grand Prix in what is, after all, a world championship.The terms and conditions of Michael Andretti's contract with McLaren are to be announced on Thursday afternoon. The question now is who will partner Andretti in 1993 and will McLaren still retain Honda power? Things look more settled at Benetton with Michael Schumacher continuing, contrary to my comments on the Belgian Grand Prix, for another season and Riccardo Patrese joining the team. Also confirmed is Mika Hakkinen agreeing to spend a third term with the ever-improving Lotus Ford operation alongside England's Johnny Herbert.
The question that remains unanswered focuses on the new world champion. The 'Nigel Mansell Saga', that new English classic novel, is providing as many twists and turns as any Grand Prix circuit. In fact, it is rumoured that Hollywood agents are queueing up to buy the film and television rights in the event of it turning into a real blockbuster. But I do believe that the situation is very serious and rumours have even linked Mansell with the Newman Haas Indy-car team that Michael Andretti has left to join Formula One.
Some members of the Williams team are regretting Riccardo Patrese has joined Benetton and this also indicates how serious the Nigel Mansell situation is. Alain Prost is still to be confirmed as a Williams driver, although this is purely a formality. A game of hardball is now being played out by Mansell and Williams with Ayrton Senna, who looks less likely by the day to remain with McLaren for 1993, waiting on the sidelines. This is a sorry mess for new world champions.
In the meantime, there is a race going on at Monza this weekend and, as has been the form throughout the year, it should be dominated by Williams. For statisticians - Can Nigel Mansell make it nine wins in a season and set a new record number of wins in a year? My answer is yes. The best part of the Italian Grand Prix will be the battle behind the two Williams. This will be between the McLarens, the Benettons, Ferrari, Lotus and don't be surprised to see a Ligier or two tagging along in that group as well.
Monza is, mechanically, a demanding race but the 53 laps and 191-mile distance is no physical problem for the drivers. I think Monza is always one of the most spectacular Grands Prix of the season. The Andrea Moda team has been excluded from Formula One as a result of changes introduced by FISA earlier this year. Brabham are not going to Monza either and this is just another disappointment in the history of this once great team. The only positive news is that there will be no pre-qualifying as a result.
MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY - Positions after 13 of 42 stages: Accumulated penalties hrs mins secs 1 C McRae Subaru 1:05.44 2 B Fisher Subaru 1:06.04 3 K McKinstry Subaru 1:06.30 4 P Snijers Ford 1:07.03 5 D Metcalfe Vauxhall 1:08.50 6 F Meagher Ford 1:09.59 7 T Smith Ford 1:10.37 8 A McRae Ford 1:10.54 9 G Leece Ford 1:11.57 10 L Aitken-Walker Ford 1:12.20Bertie Fisher reported transmission problems with his Subaru on stage four but carried on without slowing. Frank Meagher finished the seventh stage with a front puncture, losing almost one minute and dropping from fifth to seventh. David Greer had to retire his sixth placed Ford on stage eight - the first after the halt at the TT Grandstand. Colin McRae lost ground to second placed Bertie Fisher when a front driveshaft broke on his Subaru on the 13th stage.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Beyneu):- Frenchman Bruno Saby produced another gutsy drive to snatch the overall lead from Pierre Lartigue on stage seven. Saby, who won the previous two stages, overcame a clutch problem to finish fourth and move two mins 46 secs ahead of Lartigue who trailed in sixth. The 476km stage from Keniyak to Beyneu was won by Saby's Rothmans Mitsubishi teammate Erwin Weber. The win leapfrogged Weber over Hubert Auriol into fourth place. Auriol finished the stage in third with Kenjiro Shinozuka second.
Overall standings after stage 7:
hrs mins secs
1 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi 4:31.03
2 P Lartigue Fr Citroen @ 0:02.46
3 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 0:10.57
4 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi 0:11.52
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen 0:14.25
6 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi 0:51.02
7 JP Fontenay Fr Mitsubishi 3:54.58
8 S Servia Sp Nissan 3:55.42
9 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen 4:25.01
10 M La Caze Fr Toyota 5:06.05
10.09.92
MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY - Positions after 32 of 42 stages:
Accumulated penalties hrs mins secs
1 C McRae Subaru 2:42.51
2 B Fisher Subaru 2:45.34
3 K McKinstry Subaru 2:49.06
4 D Metcalfe Vauxhall 2:52.05
5 F Meagher Ford 2:55.23
6 T Smith Ford 2:57.26
7 A McRae Ford 2:58.13
8 G Leece Ford 2:58.31
9 M Higgins Vauxhall 2:59.15
10 L Aitken-Walker Ford 3:04.19
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Novyi-Ouzen):- Frenchman Bruno Saby set a
blistering pace to win the 380km seventh stage and extend his overall lead in
the race. Saby was more than seven minutes ahead of his nearest rival,
teammate Kenjiro Shinozuka, to claim his third stage win. His Rothmans
Mitsubishi averaged speeds of over 130 km/h across the hot and dusty Kazakh
oilfields on the tough 380km stage. The win increases his lead over Pierre
Lartigue to 14 minutes, with just 25 minutes separating the top five cars
after six days of fierce competition.
Overall standings after stage 7:
hrs mins secs
1 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi 5 48.12
2 P Lartigue Fr Citroen @ 0:14.38
3 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 0:23.45
4 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 0:24.23
5 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi 0:26.14
6 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi 0:58.04
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen 4:54.33
8 JP Fontenay Fr Mitsubishi 5:20.21
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota 6:23.49
10 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota 6:23.56
11.09.92
F1:- World champion Nigel Mansell expects to make a final decision on his
future before Sunday's Italian Grand Prix. "I will be making a statement about
how it is on Saturday. That is when I will be able to let everyone know what
is going on," he said. Mansell reiterated that he wanted to stay with the
Williams team in 1993 if at all possible. "If the opportunity exists for me to
defend my championship in the manner and conditions in which I have won it,
then that is my first choice for next year," he added.Honda have dealt a major blow to McLaren's hopes for 1993 by confirming that they will pull out of Formula One at the end of the current season. The company said the decision had been taken because they had attained their goals of winning many races and achieving technological expertise. An estimated œ40 million a year was being spent by Honda to supply engines for the McLaren team. Honda won the F1 constructors title in 1986-7 with Williams and from 1986 to 1991 with McLaren.
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday afternoon practice session:
mins secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:22.586
2 A Senna Brz Mclaren 1:22.822
3 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:22.976
4 R Patrese It Williams 1:23.022
5 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:23.997
6 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:24.143
7 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:24.551
8 I Capelli It Ferrari 1:24.877
9 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus-Ford 1:25.108
10 T Boutsen Bel Ligier 1:25.173
11 B Gachot Fr Venturi 1:25.173
12 E Comas It Tyrrell 1:25.178
13 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:25.234
14 O Grouillard Fr Tyrrell 1:25.354
15 A de Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:25.502
16 P Martini It Dallara 1:25.528
17 G Morbidelli It Minardi 1:25.575
18 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:25.775
19 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara 1:25.951
20 J Herbert GB Lotus 1:26.162
21 E Naspetti It March 1:26.276
22 G Tarquini It Fondmetal 1:26.305
23 M Gugelmin Brz Jordan 1:26.463
24 K Wendlinger Aut March 1:26.667
25 U Katayama Jpn Venturi 1:27.018
26 E Vd Poele Bel Fondmetal 1:27.019
NON-QUALIFIERS
27 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi 1:27.228
28 S Modena It Jordan 1:27.331
Nigel Mansell claimed provisional pole for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix
after dominating the opening qualifying session at Monza on Friday. Driving
with all his usual speed and determination the world champion took command
early on by lapping faster and faster in his Williams. His best time was one
minute 22.586 seconds on the high-speed 5.8km track to secure overnight
pole. Ayrton Senna was second-quickest, thanks to a late fast lap which
narrowly edged out Jean Alesi.World champion Nigel Mansell shrugged off problems with his Williams Renault to claim provisional pole at Monza. "The car was perfect for one lap and then it would lose power and the handling is not quite right either. But I am pleased to be on provisional pole. It has been hard work with the amount of oil on the track," he said. Ayrton Senna was second fastest driving an actively suspended McLaren for the first time. "At the moment I'm happier the normal car. The active car is a little bit too active," he commented.
Team boss Frank Williams refused to be drawn on the future of Nigel Mansell after seeing the world champion set the fastest time in Friday's practice. Mansell plans to make a statement on Saturday but Williams said there had been no significant progress to report from discussions with him. "I can't say anything. We are in the process of negotiations and sometimes they are quick and sometimes they drag a little. At present the focus of our talks is with Nigel. That has not changed."
MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY - Result after 42 stages: Accumulated penalties hrs mins secs 1 C McRae Subaru 3:46.01 2 B Fisher Subaru 3:52.04 3 K McKinstry Subaru 3:54.29 4 D Metcalfe Vauxhall 3:58.25 5 F Meagher Ford 4:02.55 6 G Leece Ford 4:05.35 7 A McRae Ford 4:06.19 8 T Smith Ford 4:06.57 9 M Higgins Vauxhall 4:07.09 10 J Milner Peugeot 4:13.57Colin McRae made sure of his second successive British title with victory in the 42-stage event. He finished with almost six minutes in hand over Bertie Fisher to clinch the title with one round remaining. The Scot had problems with the turbo intercooler on his Subaru on the final day but was able to hold off Fisher for a decisive win. Kenny McKinstry finished 2 mins 25 secs behind Fisher to complete a Subaru 1-2-3, with McRae's brother Alister heading the Group N class in seventh.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Nebit Dag):- Pierre Lartigue reclaimed the overall lead from French compatriot Bruno Saby after taking second place on the tough 670km stage close to Turkmenistan. Japan's Kenjiro Shinozuka, driving a Mitsubishi Pajero, won the stage as many competitors got lost in a rocky maze of sandstone canyons and dunes. There were no spectators to cheer on the drivers as the region was so remote, and temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius backed the landscape. Lartigue now holds an advantage of two minutes 13 seconds over Saby.
Overall standings after stage 8:
hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 8:24.23
2 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 0:02.13
3 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 0:14.38
4 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 0:39.52
5 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 0:54.41
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 0:56.23
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 5:21.58
8 JP Fontenay Fr Mitsubishi @ 6:50.23
9 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 8:04.05
10 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 8:07.11
12.09.92
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday practice session:
mins secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:22.221
2 A Senna Brz Mclaren 1:22.822
3 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:22.976
4 R Patrese It Williams 1:23.022
5 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:23.112
6 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:23.629
7 I Capelli It Ferrari 1:24.321
8 T Boutsen Bel Ligier 1:24.413
9 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:24.551
10 B Gachot Fr Venturi 1:24.654
11 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus-Ford 1:24.807
12 G Morbidelli It Minardi 1:24.912
13 J Herbert GB Lotus-Ford 1:25.140
14 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara 1:25.145
15 E Comas It Ligier 1:25.178
16 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:25.234
17 K Wendlinger Aut March 1:25.343
18 O Grouillard Fr Tyrrell 1:25.354
19 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:25.374
20 G Tarquini It Fondmetal 1:25.420
21 A de Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:25.425
22 P Martini It Dallara 1:25.528
23 U Katayama Jpn Venturi 1:26.174
24 E Naspetti It March 1:26.279
25 E Vd Poele Bel Fondmetal 1:26.407
26 M Gugelmin Brz Jordan 1:26.463
NON-QUALIFIERS
27 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi 1:26.510
28 S Modena It Jordan 1:27.331
Nigel Mansell produced another superb practice performance to clinch his
11th pole of the season for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The world
champion sliced 0.365 secs from Friday's lap time as he clocked 1 min 22.221
secs. Ayrton Senna will start alongside him on the grid despite failing to
improve his 1:22.822 in the McLaren-Honda. Jean Alesi's third place had the
Ferrari flags waving but he was also unable to get the clear run needed to
better his time set on Friday.Britain's Nigel Mansell predicted a "very technical race" in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after securing pole in his Williams. "I think I could have been even quicker but mid-way round my best lap I heard an explosion in the airbox. "It sometimes happens with these electronic control units and I lost 400rpm on the straights," he said. "As far as the race is concerned I am worried about brakes and the fact that the track conditions here seem to change from lap to lap."
The future of Nigel Mansell remains unclear after he declined to give any definite statement about his plans after taking pole for the Italian GP. The Williams driver said: "I have had several important meetings today with several important people and these meetings are still ongoing. "I still have to see someone else and things may become clearer later on. Or, on the other hand, it may be next week." Mansell was seen talking to McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, but he remained tight-lipped about their discussion.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Darwaza)
Overall standings after stage 9:
hrs mins secs
1 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi 10:43.44
2 P Lartigue Fr Citroen @ 0:16.48
3 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 0:22.54
4 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 0:36.00
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 1:54.16
6 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 6:38.29
7 JP Fontenay Fr Mitsubishi @ 8:06.30
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 9:05.35
9 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 9:19.28
10 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 9:23.22
Frenchman Bruno Saby regained the overall lead as Mitsubishis dominated the
561km ninth stage across the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan. He finished third
but it was good enough to earn him a lead of almost 17 minutes as rival Pierre
Latigue ran into trouble in his Citroen. Kenjiro Shinozuka reached the finish
first, with Erwin Weber just 1 min 48 secs behind. Saby brough the third
Mitsubishi home 15 mins later. The event reaches Asia on Sunday with the cars
crossing the 60th meridian.13.09.92 - F1World champion Nigel Mansell has announced he is quitting Formula One racing at the end of the season. The Briton has been unable to reach an agreement on driving for the Williams-Renault team in 1993. Mansell, 39, dominated this year's F1 championship and clinched the title at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August. He is now considering the possibility of racing with Indy cars in America. Frank Williams has said the Williams team "regretted" Mansell's departure.
The 39-year-old has made it clear that negotiations with the Williams team have broken down beyond repair. In a statement Mansell said: "Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have decided to retire from Formula One at the end of the season." He said it was not easy for him to make the announcement and that he had been asked by the Williams-Renault team not to carry on with the statement of his retirement.
Nigel Mansell said he had thought long and hard before making the decision to retire from Formula One racing. "There are many reasons for this. I have tried to give some idea of how I feel. Other people will no doubt draw their own conclusion," said Mansell. He went on: "For one thing it is clear that Alain Prost has been committed for months to drive for Williams. I thought I had a deal when clearly I did not. Needless to say I do not understand why these things happen," continued Mansell.
Nigel Mansell began his F1 Grand Prix career in Austria in 1980 with Lotus. He moved to Williams-Honda in 1985 and clinched his first Grand Prix win that season, finishing the campaign sixth. Mansell came close to the world crown when he came second in 1986 and 1987 and his hopes of ever being champion looked bleak after he left for a miserable time at Ferrari in 1989. In July 1990, Mansell announced his retirement from Formula One before Williams-Renault lured him back and this year he clinched the world title.
Ayrton Senna clinched his third Grand Prix triumph of the season to keep
Nigel Mansell waiting for his record-breaking ninth win of the
campaign. Mansell retired with gearbox problems on lap 42 and his Williams
colleague Riccardo Patrese finished fifth after encountering engine
difficulties during the final few laps. This left the way open for Martin
Brundle to secure his best ever Grand Prix finish in second place. Michael
Schumacher came third with Gerhard Berger fourth.
Ayrton Senna won an incident-packed Italian Grand Prix overshadowed by
Nigel Mansell's announcement that he is to retire at the end of the
year. Senna hit the front just five laps from the end of the 53-lap race after
both Mansell and Riccardo Patrese suffered problems with their
Williams. Mansell was second behind Patrese when he encountered gearbox
problems on lap 42 and was forced to make his first retirement of the
season. Patrese slumped down to fifth with engine difficulties on lap 48.
Nigel Mansell had looked like achieving his pre-race ambition of claiming a
record ninth victory of the season before he retired with gearbox
problems. Mansell made a scorching start and led for the opening 20 laps but
hydraulic pressure problems upset the gearbox and he pulled out when placed
second. Patrese struggled to finish the race fifth after encountering problems
with the nose of his Williams, up in the air after the reactive suspension
failed. This added up to Williams' worst showing since Canada in June when
both drivers finished out of the points.
Ayrton Senna said he was surprised that he won the Italian Grand Prix after
being third with just 11 laps to go. "I didn't feel as though I could keep up
with Nigel and Riccardo but the traffic helped me and I just stayed in there,"
the Brazilian said. "I managed to keep up with them and when they had problems
and dropped back I was to take over. I pushed very hard right from the
beginning of the race and obviously I am very pleased with the final result of
the race," the Brazilian added.
Ayrton Senna clinched his third Grand Prix win of the year at Monza and
then said he had "sympathy" for Nigel Mansell, who retires later this year. "I
feel sympathy for Nigel because he is in a similar situation to me," Senna
said. Senna has had talks with Williams over his availability for next year
but he added: "Nigel was not the reason why I did not agree terms - somebody
else was." This statement appears to refer to Alain Prost, who is reported to
have a contract to drive for Williams in 1993.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Bishkek):- Finland's Timo Salonen comfortably won
the 12th and final stage in the CIS but was still unable to force himself back
into the top ten. Pierre Lartigue was second to hold onto his overall lead but
Japan's Kenjiro Shinozuka maintained his recent good form to stay within 40
minutes of him. The rally now moves onto China after a day's rest, where some
of the stages are reputed to be very rough. Shinozuka believes the suspension
of his Mitsubishi will help him close down Lartigue, and with three cars in
the first four the team is looking strong.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Bishkek) - The remaining 72 entrants enjoyed the
only rest day on the 27-day event in Bishkek, the capital of Kirghizia. Within
sight of the Tien-Shan mountains which mark the Chinese border, entrants
repaired cars and celebrated the end of the CIS stages with local
vodka. Predictions that the rally would have been won by now have been proved
wrong, with only 38 minutes separating leader Pierre Lartigue from Kenjiro
Shinozuka. There are nine days of competition left with Thursday spent
travelling to the Chinese border.
Film star Paul Newman and Newman-Haas team boss Carl Haas confirmed that
Nigel Mansell will be joining them next year. "Indy Car racing is a wonderful
new challenge to me," Mansell said. "I have seen quite a few races on
television and the competition is really good. Indianapolis and the other
ovals will be a new experience for me." Haas added: "I am extremely pleased
Nigel is joining our team."
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY:- Heavy overnight rain in China's normally arid and
dusty Xinjiang province wreaked havoc with the latest timed stage. Seventy of
the 72 competitors were stuck in the mud at one point and had to be pulled out
by trucks. Rather than cancel the stage organisers decided to record the times
of the first six cars and give the rest the same time as the sixth car. Just
twelve minutes seperated the six fastest cars so there was no change in the
leaderboard.
F3:- Brazilian Gil De Ferran snatched pole position for Sunday's Daily Express
trophy, round 14 of the British Formula Three Championship. The champion
lapped the 2.5 mile circuit in 1 min 41.05 secs ahead of Belgian Phillippe
Adams.
TOURING CARS:- David Leslie powered his Vauxhall Cavalier to his second pole
position of the season for the penultimate round of the Esso British Touring
Car Championship at Donington Park. He clocked 1 min 52.02 secs ahead of Andy
Rouse in a Toyota Carina.
F.VAUXHALL LOTUS:- Oliver Gavin led throughout the 11th round of the Formula
Vauxhall Lotus championship at Donington to win by 8.37 seconds from Dario
Franchiti. Championship leader Piers Hunnisett was seventh and has just a 21
point lead over Jeremy Cotterill going into Sunday's penultimate round.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Taklimakan):- Bruno Saby and Erwin Weber, driving
identical Mitsubishi Pajeros, took first and second place on Saturday's 159km
special stage. The Frenchman finished 48 seconds ahead of the German despite
suffering a broken wheel 20kms from the finish. Rally leader Pierre Lartigue
put his Citroen into a ditch and was passed by second placed Kenjiro
Shinozuka. But the Japanese driver also broke a wheel on his Mitsubishi to
finish the stage in sixth place to lie 39.24 seconds behind Frenchman
Lartigue.
F3:- Kelvin Burt won the Daily Express Trophy race, round 14 of the British
Formula Three Championship at Donington. Burt, from Tamworth, took the lead on
the first lap and led to the finish. Belgian Marc Goosens took second
place.
TOURING CARS:- Tim Harvey, in a BMW 318, won the 14th round of the Esso
British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park. It was his fifth victory
in a row. John Cleland, in a Vauxhall Cavalier, finished third to lead the
championship standings ahead of Harvey.
F.VAUXHALL LOTUS:- Oliver Gavin completed a winning double in the Formula
Vauxhall Lotus series at Donington Park, following Saturday's win with another
flag-to-flag triumph. The win put him fifth in the series, 13 points adrift of
championship leader Piers Hunnnisett, who could only manage sixth and fourth
places.
WEXFORD NATIONAL RALLY:- Stephen Murphy leads the Wexford National Rally,
round seven of the National Tarmac Championship, after the first seven of 19
stages. Last year's winner, in a Cosworth 4x4, is 25 seconds ahead of Enda
Nolan.
PARIS-MOSCOW-RALLY (Shanshan):- Pierre Lartigue finished fourth in Sunday's
stage from Korla to Shanshan but retaine his overall lead. Kenjiro Shinozuka,
in a Mitsubishi, has cut the gap to 38 minutes after edging ahead of the
Frenchman on the 15th stage. Stage winner Erwin Weber and second placed Bruno
Saby are positioned third and fourth respectively after the Shanshan
stage. Saby underlined the Mitsubishi challenge when he said: "We all know we
must now close the gap on Lartigue."
As for Williams' opposition, in my view Benetton have got to be very
strong. It is a very driveable car and it's easier for them to maximise
performance at Estoril than it is for McLaren and Ferrari due to the nature of
the track. The Schumacher-Patrese-Senna battle for second place in the
championship will be the main focus of interest as they are all within one
point of each other. But Mansell will want to leave Formula one by setting a
new record of nine GP wins in one season this season, and I can't imagine his
team would wish anything else either.
Of course, Benetton's Martin Brundle knows this is another chance to keep
his name in the frame for a top drive. He has been linked closely with
Williams as a replacement British driver, but Ayrton Senna is once again in
the reckoning since Monza. The whole thing will not stabilise until Williams
nominate their drivers for 1993 and finally put everyone out of their
misery. Only when that happens can harmony return to GP racing. These issues
have hogged the headlines for too long.
In spite of all that's been going on at the top, there is still movement in
the lower ranks of Formula One racing. Fondmetal, who appeared unlikely to go
to Estoril, will now turn up with a new driver - Italian Guiseppe
Bugatti. Derek Warwick, the 1992 World Sportscar champion, has been contacted
by several F1 teams, and in my view his enthusiasm and attitude would be an
asset to any team who chose to use him. Neither Brabham nor Andrea Moda will
appear, Brabham having officially pulled out of the 1992 Championship and
Andrea Moda suspended for the season.
It is now two weeks since Nigel Mansell announced his decision to
retire from GP racing, hastily followed by his move to the Indycar Cart
Championship. I personally regret his decision, at a point when he is world
champion and also such a popular public figure in current Formula One
racing. It seems impossible to imagine any retraction from the position
parties are now in, but to have the new champ walk away is a sorry state of
affairs. The losers, inevitably, are the public and that seems to have been
forgotten by everybody.
I just wonder how Nigel Mansell will feel in three months when his seat is
occupied by Senna, Prost or both. They will be grabbing the headlines while he
is isolated in an event which is merely a national-based championship. I know
from experience that stepping outside of an arena before you feel you have
reached a natural conclusion is unsatisfying and frustrating. But we have to
live with our decisions and I repeat that it would appear that it's the public
who are the real losers.
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Wuwei):- Japan's Kenjiro Shinozuka blasted back
into form after two days of bad luck by winning the rough 202km 18th
stage. Shinozuka took the second leg to be run in the Gobi Desert by eight
seconds from Bjorn Waldegard after earlier leaders had all made wrong
turnings. The win keeps Shinozuka in fourth place overall and he said: "It was
almost too easy. They went the wrong way and I nipped past." Pierre Lartigue
retains the lead with three days left but Erwin Weber gained another precious
three minutes.
Nigel Mansell was a relieved man after escaping injury in a hair-raising
spin when the suspension on his car failed during Friday's warm-up. "The
hydraulic pump sheared and the car was jammed in sixth. There was nothing I
could do." It was the first complete failure this year. "It was a very big
moment, believe me. It was one of the most frightening of my career and I had
to concentrate hard to get over it this afternoon," he said. Mansell is aiming
for a record ninth win of the year in Sunday's race.
Nigel Mansell said he was "quietly happy" after winning a record-breaking
ninth Grand Prix of the season. The Williams driver seemed subdued and keen to
get away, revealing he was going home for a well-earned rest for the first
time in seven months. "I had very few problems today, but after Riccardo's
crash there were a lot of cars in front of me with punctures and I had to be
very careful. I was going to come in for a second tyre change but my lead was
big enough to stay out and hold on," he added.
Gerhard Berger finished second behind Nigel Mansell despite a collision
with Williams driver Riccardo Patrese. Patrese clipped the rear of the
pit-bound McLaren driver's car as he tried to oevrtake on lap 42 and his car
was flung spectacularly into the air. The Italian was visible shaken but lucky
to escape with a bruised knee, while Berger's car was miraculously undamaged
and he held on for second. "It was not my fault or Patrese's fault. It was
just a misunderstanding," said Berger of the crash.
Ayrton Senna's third position was good enough to move him into second place
in the drivers' championship. The Brazilian looked to be heading for second
spot but a series of pit-stops lost him valuable time. He came in for tyre
changes no less than four times, complaining of bad handling, but still
managed to break the lap record three times. Germany's Michael Schumacher
finished seventh and outside the points after a mistake on the warm-up lap
left him at the back of the pack.
Martin Brundle did his chances of a top drive next year no harm at all as
he finished within the points again. The Benetton driver came home in fourth
place after a tight duel with Finland's Mika Hakkinen ended with the Briton
coming out on top. And there were racetrack rumours that he would be joining
up with compatriot Mark Blundell at Ligier next year if he fails to secure a
Williams contract. Johhny Herbert's bad luck continued to stick with him and
he retired on the first lap after a collision.
Williams have confirmed that Frenchman Alain Prost will drive for them in
the 1993 Formula One World Championship. The news ends months of speculation
that the three-times world champion would be joining the team and he will
replace Britain's Nigel Mansell. Prost, 37, will test the Williams Renault
FW14B at Estoril this week with Damon Hill. The team will announce their
second driver for 1993 at the end of the week. Benetton driver Martin Brundle
has been widely tipped to get the drive.
Alan Prost expressed his delight at returning to Formula One after being
confirmed as a member of the Williams Renault team for 1993. "This
confirmation makes me happy because it ends all the speculation and the
pressure on myself, on the team and on Formula One as a whole," said Prost,
who has won a record 44 Grands Prix. "I wanted to sign with them because they
are the best team and have the best engine."
"Anyone would like to have a season like they had this year," he added.
F.OPEL LOTUS:- Switzerland's Christian Fischer won the final round of the GM
Lotus Euroseries at Estoril to finish third overall behind Gareth Rees and
Gualter Salles. Fischer gave a commanding performance after starting from
pole, while champion Rees finished only eighth.
F.RENAULT:- Spaniard Pedro Martinez de la Rosa took the P&O Formula Renault
Championship race down to the final race by winning the penultimate round at
Thruxton. Overall leader Ivan Arias finished third and the title will be
decided at Brands Hatch next weekend.
F3:- British Formula Three champion Gil de Ferran led from start to finish to
take his sixth win of the season in the penultimate round at Thruxton. He was
pressed all the way by Kelvin Burt, whose final lap was the fastest of the
race, but the Briton crossed the line 0.49 secs behind.
Johnny Herbert has become the new favourite to take over at Canon
Williams-Renault next year. Herbert finished 26th in Sunday's Portuguese Grand
Prix after failing to do more than one lap, retiring with a damaged car after
a minor collision. The up-and-coming English ace remains unmoved about the
Williams speculation and says: "I am not thinking about any of this stuff. I
am driving for Lotus, but if I ever had a chance to drive for Williams I would
jump at it."
Lotus have denied English driver Johnny Herbert is leaving the team in 1993
despite speculation linking him with Canon Williams-Renault. Herbert and
teammate Mika Hakkinen are both under contract to Team Lotus for next
year. "There is no truth whatsoever in any rumours that Johnny will be driving
for any other team," Team Lotus managing director Peter Collins said. "Both
Johnny and Mika have contracts for the coming season and like me are looking
forward to it," Collins added.
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Italian Grand Prix result from Monza:
hrs mins secs
1 A Senna Brz McLaren 1:18:15.349 (average speed 146.450 mph)
2 M Brundle GB Benetton @ 17.050
3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton @ 24.373
4 G Berger Aut McLaren @ 1:25.490
5 R Patrese It Williams @ 1:33.158
6 A de Cesaris It Tyrrell @ one lap
7 M Alboreto It Footwork @ one lap
8 P Martini It Dallara @ one lap
9 U Katayama Jap Venturi @ three laps
10 K Wendlinger Aut March @ three laps
11 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara @ six laps
12 M Gugelmin Brz Jordan no finish
13 N Mansell GB Williams no finish
14 T Boutsen Bel Ligier no finish
FIA WORLD F1 DRIVERS' STANDINGS
1 N Mansell GB Williams 98 pts
2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 47
3 R Patrese It Williams 46
= A Senna Brz McLaren 46
5 G Berger Aut McLaren 27
= M Brundle GB Benetton 27
7 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 13
8 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus Ford 9
9 M Alboreto It Footwork 5
= A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 5
11 E Comas Fr Ligier 4
12 K Wendlinger Aut March Ilmor 3
= I Capelli It Ferrari 3
14 P Martini It Dallara 2
= J Herbert GB Lotus 2
16 B Gachot Bel Larrousse 1
CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1 Williams 144 points
2 Benetton 74
3 McLaren 73
4 Ferrari 16
5 Lotus Ford 11
6 Footwork 5
= Tyrrell 5
8 Ligier Renault 4
9 March Ilmor 3
10 Dallara 2
11 Venturi 1
14.09.92 - PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Chimkent)
Frenchman Pierre Lartigue produced an inspired drive to win the stage in his
Citroen and regain the overall lead from compatriot Bruno Saby. Lartigue found
a number of short-cuts on the 397km trek in Uzbekistan to finish in 2 hrs, 58
mins and 49 secs, more than five minutes ahead of Japanese driver Kenjiro
Shinozuka. Shinozuka has been steadily advancing up the leaderboard and
leapfrogged over Saby, who was delayed when his satellite navigation system
broke.
Standings after 11 stages:
hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 17:49.34
2 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ :21.48
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi :24.37
4 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi 1:01.14
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen 3:58.18
6 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen 7:48.07
7 B Waldegard Swe Citroen 8:11.50
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota 12:10.30
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota 12:21.37
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan 12:51.39
15.09.92
LOMBARD RAC RALLY:- This year's Lombard RAC Rally will carry a œ100,000
jackpot for any British driver who end the Scandinavian domination of the
event. The six-figure incentive has been offered by Lombard, whose backing for
the rally ends after this year's event. Roger Clark was the last Briton to win
the rally in 1976 - the same year James Hunt took the Formula One world
crown. "This is Lombard's 19th and final year as sponsor and we wanted to do
something special for the sport," said chief executive Brian Carte.
Standings after 12 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 19:39.01
2 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 38.04
3 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:34.25
4 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 2:07.43
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:35.55
6 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 8:31.50
7 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:38.23
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @13:33.51
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @13:42.41
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @14:11.44
F1:- Formula One chief Frank Williams has claimed Nigel Mansell was at the
centre of his team's plans for 1993 until the world champion's decision to
retire. Williams said "We made several offers to Nigel, all of which were
rejected...We repeat Nigel was the focus of our efforts for the 1993
season. Despite the enormous support for both the team and Nigel from many
British fans, we are unable to raise any significant sponsorship from the UK."
Mansell has said that he will not reconsider his decision to retire.
16.09.92
F1:- Former world champion Alain Prost has denied suggestions that he has
already agreed to drive for Williams in 1993. He said he was still undecided
about his future and Nigel Mansell's claims that he had been "committed for
months" to Williams were untrue. "There is a 60 to 70 per cent chance that
I'll race in 1993 but, frankly speaking, I don't know yet," he said. Prost
conceded that Frank Williams had wanted to pair him and Mansell next year but
Ayrton Senna's offer to drive for Williams for nothing had "jeopardised the
idea."
Standings after 12 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 19:39.01
2 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 38.04
3 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:34.25
4 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 2:07.43
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:35.55
6 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 8:31.50
7 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:38.23
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @13:33.51
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @13:42.41
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @14:11.44
* Rest day Wednesday
17.09.92 - PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Kashi)
The remaining 72 entrants crossed from the CIS to China on Thursday, at 37,000
feet above sea level. The thin mountain air robbed even the powerful Rothmans
Mitsubishis of vital horsepower although this stage was untimed because of
border formalities. Pierre Lartigue, of France, in a Citroen, is the current
leader going into Friday's first Chinese special stage. The stage is a 296km
timed round to Asku, which is on the edge of the Taklimakan desert.
18.09.92
F1:- Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell has signed a contract to drive
for the Newman-Haas Indy Car racing team in 1993. Mansell, who will quit
Formula One at the end of the year, will become the first reigning world
drivers champion to switch to Indy Car full-time. He will team up with 1978
Formula One champion Mario Andretti at Newman-Haas, co-owned by film star Paul
Newman. Mansell and Andretti will drive Lola Ford-Cosworth cars in the
demanding series of races across America.
Standings after 13 stages:
hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 20:19.36
2 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 36.08
3 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:37.06
4 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 2:01.49
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:29.59
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:27.38
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 8:34.31
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 13:36.32
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 13:45.22
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 14:14.55
19.09.92
F.OPEL LOTUS:- Gareth Rees only has to finish one of Sunday's two races ahead
of nearest rival Gualter Salles to clinch the Opel Lotus/Vauxhall Lotus
Euroseries title. Rees starts round 12 in third place on the grid with the
Brazilian in 15th but the tables are turned for round 13 with Salles seventh
fastest in practice and Rees only 15th. The Briton struggled in Saturday's
practice session after sliding while bedding in new brake pads on the Belgian
circuit.
Standings after 14 stages:
hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 23:21.53
2 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 39.24
3 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:31.16
4 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 1:55.11
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:29.06
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:25.41
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 8:45.41
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 14:04.16
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 14:11.26
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 14:49.39
AUSTRALIAN RALLY:- World championship leader Didier Auriol swept into the lead
after the first day of the four-day 536km rally. The Frenchman, in a Lancia
Integrale, overcame a waterlogged course to gain a 35 second lead over Finn
Ari Vatenen in a Subaru. Auriol's nearest championship rival, Carlos Sainz,
was third in his Toyota, three seconds behind Vatenen. Auriol's teammate,
reigning world champion Juha Kankkunen, is in fourth place. The Finn is
seeking his fourth successive Australian victory.
Positions after ninth stage:
hrs mins secs
1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Integ 1:05:54
2 A Vatanen Fin Subaru 1:06.29
3 C Sainz Sp Toyota Celica 1:06:32
4 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Integ 1:06.38
5 P Bourne NZ Subaru Legacy 1:08:23
6 R Millen NZ Mazda 323 1:09.19
7 R Dunkerton Aus Mitsubishi 1:09.25
8 J Recalde Arg Lancia Integ 1:09.31
9 E Ordynski Aus Mitsubishi 1:13:51
10 M Sulayem UAE Ford Sierra 1:15:24
20.09.92
F.OPEL LOTUS:- Gareth Rees clinched the Opel Lotus/Vauxhall Lotus Euroseries
after taking sixth place in the 12th round of the 14-round series at Zolder,
Belgium. The 23-year-old Briton won the series after nearest rival Gualter
Salles from Brazil failed to finish. Rees held second place at the track until
the 10th of 14 laps, but was caught out by dust on the circuit. "I'm relieved
to have taken the title," said Rees, who rides for the David Sears Motorsport
team, based in Norfolk.
Result of stage 15:
1 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi
2 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi
3 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi
4 P Lartigue Fr Citroen
5 B Waldegard Swe Citroen
6 H Auriol Fr Citroen
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen
8 JP Fontenay Fr M'subishi
9 J Riviere Fr Nissan
10 M La Caze Fr Toyota
AUSTRALIAN RALLY:- Frenchman Didier Auriol extended his lead after 18 stages
on a day marred by injuries to two navigators. New Zealander Tony Sircombe
suffered broken ribs and lung damage after his Mazda 323 rolled, and Argentine
Victor Zucchini hurt his neck in another crash. Auriol, driving a Lancia, led
by one minute six seconds from teammate Juha Kankkunen after winning four of
the nine stages on the second day. Kankkunen took four of the stages to remain
in contnetion for a fourth consecutive win in Australia.
Positions after 18 stages: hrs mins secs
1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Integ 2:31:34
2 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Integ 2:32.40
3 A Vatanen Fin Subaru 2:32:55
4 C Sainz Sp Toyota Celica 2:33.27
5 P Bourne NZ Subaru Legacy 2:37:40
6 R Dunkerton Aus Mitsubishi 2:39.30
7 J Recalde Arg Lancia Integ 2:39.51
8 E Ordynski Aus Mitsubishi 2:50:43
9 K Inoue Jap Mitsubishi 2:52.50
10 T Challis Aus Mitsubishi 2:52:56
21.09.92
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Hami):- Bruno Saby ignored pain from a damaged
wrist to win Monday's 316km 16th stage across the Gobi desert in China. He
wrenched his left wrist when his car landed heavily after a jump early in the
day but battled on to finish almost four minutes clear of Erwin Weber. "I had
to drive 20 kilometres with it in absolute agony," Saby said. He lies third
overall behind Pierre Lartigue and Erwin Weber. The day's events were
overshadowed by the death of a Chinese official in a collision near
Shanshan.
Standings after 16 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 25:48.07
2 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:21.47
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 1:42.53
4 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 1:48.53
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:29.53
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:29.18
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 9:16.30
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 15:58.27
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 15:59.58
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 17:12.05
AUSTRALIAN RALLY:- Didier Auriol looks set to snatch the Australian Rally
title from Lancia team mate Juha Kankkunen after the Finn fell behind during
the third leg on Monday. Kankkunen, winner of all three previous rallies down
under, suffered a broken suspension and a jammed wheel to crash out of
contention. He is now two minutes 39 seconds behind Auriol, who was in
terrific form. "I was trying to catch Carlos (Sainz) because it was too hard
to catch Didier," said Kankkunen, who hit a rock during the 24th
stage.
Positions after 31 stages: hrs mins secs
1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Integ 4:28:39
2 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Integ 4:29.18
3 C Sainz Sp Toyota Celica 4:29.28
4 J Recalde Arg Lancia Integ 4:42.06
5 R Dunkerton Aus Mitsubishi 4:48.55
6 E Ordynski Aus Mitsubishi 4:58:34
7 P Bourne NZ Subaru Legacy 4:58:50
8 K Inoue Jap Mitsubishi 5:02.07
9 T Challis Aus Mitsubishi 5:02:19
10 C Stallard Aus Mitsubishi 5:10:29
22.09.92
PARIS-MOSCOW-RALLY (Jiayuguan):- Germany's Erwin Weber closed the gap on
overall race leader Pierre Lartigue to one hour 18 mins after winning the
545km stage to the Great Wall of China. Weber managed to hold off the
challenge of Rothmans teammate Bruno Saby, with 14 seconds between them at the
finish. "It was a crazy day, for much of the stage we were able to follow Land
Rover tracks but when they ran out we had to make some snap decisions," Weber
said. The competitors will now loosely follow the 3000 mile long wall until
the rally's conclusion in Beijing on Sunday.
Standings after 17 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 28:11.20
2 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:18.00
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 1:39.20
4 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 2:04.50
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:40.44
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:32.02
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 9:36.21
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 17:11.45
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 17:27.24
AUSTRALIAN RALLY:- Didier Auriol moved closer to his goal of becoming France's
first world rally champion by completing a record sixth win of the season at
Perth. The Lancia star finished the 35 stages over a minute clear of teammate
Juha Kankkunen and has now won every event he has competed in this year. "It
is nice to finish one-two but we have more rallies to go before we can
celebrate too much," Auriol said. Former champion Carlos Sainz took third
place in his Toyota Celica, just 23 seconds behind Kankkunen.
Final result after 35 stages: hrs mins secs
1 D Auriol Fr Lancia Integ 5:13:12
2 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia Integ 5:14.53
3 C Sainz Sp Toyota Celica 5:15.16
4 J Recalde Arg Lancia Integ 5:32.05
5 R Dunkerton Aus Mitsubishi 5:36.15
6 P Bourne NZ Subaru Legacy 5:46:52
7 E Ordynski Aus Mitsubishi 5:51:19
8 T Challis Aus Mitsubishi 5:54:26
9 K Inoue Jpn Mitsubishi 5:54.38
10 C Stallard Aus Mitsubishi 6:06:07
After Australian rally:
DRIVERS
1 C Sainz Sp Toyota 120 pts
2 D Auriol Fr Lancia 104
3 J Kankkunen Fin Lancia 92
4 M Biasion It Ford 42
5 M Alen Fin 40
6 F Delecour Fr Ford 33
MANUFACTURERS
1 Lancia 140 pts
2 Toyota 108
3 Ford 70
4 Subaru 43
5 Mitsubishi 36
6 Nissan 33
23.09.92 - JOHN WATSON ON THE PORTUGUESE GRAND PRIX
The final European GP of the '92 season takes place at Estoril this
weekend. Let's hope we can enjoy a race that is not overshadowed by the
activities going on in motor-homes and behind closed doors. The nature of the
circuit is one that is both physically demanding and technically difficult and
will appeal to the talents of Nigel Mansell. In the light of his decision to
quit, few people will deny him a record ninth GP win in one season. There is
little prospect of anyone beating Williams on a high downforce circuit like
Estoril.
Standings after 18 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 29:55.40
2 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:15.02
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 1:35.31
4 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 1:57.22
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:34.07
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:24.42
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 9:45.47
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 17:50.42
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 18:05.47
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 19:46.49
25.09.92 - PORTUGUESE GRAND PRIX
World champion Nigel Mansell claimed provisional pole for Sunday's race
after surviving one of the most frightening moments of his career. He was
driving at about 175 mph when the hydraulic-electronic suspension system on
his Williams Renault failed and the car span off into a sand trap. Mansell's
response was to clock 1 min 13.041 secs in official practice, over two secs
faster than everyone except teammate Riccardo Patrese. Benetton-bound Patrese,
winner of last year's race, was timed at 1:13.672.
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday's official qualifying: mins secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:13.041
2 R Patrese It Williams 1:13.672
3 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:15.117
4 A Senna Brz Mclaren 1:15.343
5 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:15.356
6 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus 1:16.173
7 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:16.282
8 J Herbert GB Lotus 1:16.755
9 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:16.796
10 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:16.937
11 T Boutsen Bel Ligier 1:17.332
12 A de Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:17.356
13 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:17.361
14 E Comas Fr Ligier 1:17.384
15 O Grouillard Fr Tyrrell 1:17.512
16 B Gachot Bel Venturi 1:17.624
17 P Martini It Dallara 1:17.661
18 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara 1:17.847
19 M Gugelmin Brz Jordan 1:17.949
20 G Morbidelli It Minardi 1:17.973
21 I Capelli It Ferrari 1:18.030
22 K Wendlinger Aut March 1:18.060
23 E Naspetti It March 1:18.092
24 S Modena It Jordan 1:18.318
25 C Fittipladi Brz Minardi 1:18.615
26 U Katayama Jpn Larrousse 11:36.224
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Hohhot):- Pierre Lartigue is poised to clinch
victory on Saturday after hanging onto an overall lead of more than an hour in
Friday's 414km penultimate stage. The Frenchman kept out of trouble as the
field crossed rolling plains and dried river beds in Inner Mongolia and
finished with the fifth best time. Japan's Kenjiro Shinozuka won the stage
ahead of Bjorn Waldegaard despite a collision with teammate Bruno Saby. "At
one point I made a wrong turn and crashed into Bruno, but not too much damage
was done," he said.
Standings after 20 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 34:37.03
2 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:09.48
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 1:25.58
4 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 1:43.06
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:29.43
6 B Waldegard Swe Citreon @ 8:10.06
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 10:06.06
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 20:13.41
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 20:28.06
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 22:08.18
26.09.92
PORTUGUESE GRAND PRIX:- Nigel Mansell will start his bid for a record ninth
win of the season from pole despite failing to improve his Friday lap time in
final practice. It is the 29th pole of his Grand Prix career, giving him
outright third place on the all-time list after being tied on 28 with Juan
Fangio. Ayrton Senna improved to third fastest with 1:14.258 but was unable to
oust Riccardo Patrese from the front row. The session was interrupted for 40
mins after Italian Gianni Morbidelli crashed into a barrier.
FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Final practice times: mins secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:13.041
2 R Patrese It Williams 1:13.672
3 A Senna Brz Mclaren 1:14.258
4 G Berger Aut McLaren 1:15.068
5 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 1:15.356
6 M Brundle GB Benetton 1:16.084
7 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus-Ford 1:16.173
8 M Alboreto It Footwork 1:16.282
9 J Herbert GB Lotus 1:16.628
10 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 1:16.884
11 T Boutsen Bel Ligier 1:16.930
12 A de Cesaris It Tyrrell 1:17.240
13 B Gachot Bel Larrousse 1:17.250
14 E Comas Fr Ligier 1:17.264
15 O Grouillard Fr Tyrrell 1:17.277
16 I Capelli It Ferrari 1:17.287
17 A Suzuki Jpn Footwork 1:17.361
18 G Morbidelli It Minardi 1:17.387
19 JJ Lehto Fin Dallara 1:17.474
20 M Gugelmin Brz Jordan 1:17.631
21 P Martini It Dallara 1:17.661
22 K Wendlinger Aut March 1:18.060
23 E Naspetti It March 1:18.092
24 S Modena It Jordan 1:18.318
25 U Katayama Jpn Larrousse 1:18.592
26 C Fittipladi Brz Minardi 1:18.615
PARIS-MOSCOW-BEIJING RALLY (Badaling):- France's Pierre Lartigue clinched an
epic victory with fourth place on the 40km final stage along a section of the
Great Wall of China. Thousands of fans ignored near freezing temperatures to
line the route and cheer the 59 remaining cars home. Lartigue had over 68
minutes in hand on second placed Erwin Weber with Bruno Saby, the final stage
winner, in third. "It's been a great adventure," said Lartigue, who will lead
the field in a lap of honour around Beijing city centre on Sunday.
Final result after 21 stages: hrs mins secs
1 P Lartigue Fr Citroen 34:49.14
2 E Weber Ger Mitsubishi @ 1:08.44
3 B Saby Fr Mitsubishi @ 1:24.49
4 K Shinozuka Jpn Mitsubishi @ 1:43.13
5 H Auriol Fr Citroen @ 4:29.46
6 B Waldegard Swe Citroen @ 8:10.08
7 A Ambrosino Fr Citroen @ 10:07.03
8 G Sarrazin Fr Toyota @ 20:19.52
9 M La Caze Fr Toyota @ 20:41.41
10 J Bouchet Fr Nissan @ 22:46.26
MINTEX NATIONAL RALLY:- Richard Burns became the youngest-ever winner of the
Mintex National title with third place in the Forest Stages event at
Harrogate. The 21-year-old and co-driver Robert Reid steered their Subaru
Legacy safely through 65 miles of special tests in the rain-soaked
woodland. The event was won by William Barton in a Rover Metro with Murray
Grierson 34 seconds behind in second place. But it was all in vain as Barton
finished two points behind Burns in the final standings.
27.09.92
PORTGUGUESE GRAND PRIX
Result from Portugal hr:mins:secs
1 N Mansell GB Williams 1:34.46
2 G Berger Aut McLaren @ 37 secs
3 A Senna Brz McLaren @ 1 lap
4 M Brundle GB Benetton @ 1 lap
5 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus-Ford @ 1 lap
6 M Alboreto It Footwork @ 1 lap
7 M Schumacher Ger Benetton @ 2 laps
8 T Boutsen Bel Ligier @ 2 laps
9 A de Cesaris It Tyrrell @ 2 laps
10 A Suzuki Jap Footwork @ 3 laps
11 E Naspetti It March @ 3 laps
12 C Fittipaldi Brz Minardi @ 3 laps
13 S Modena It Jordan @ 3 laps
14 G Morbidelli It Minardi @ 3 laps
FIA WORLD F1 DRIVERS' STANDINGS
(after Portuguese Grand Prix)
1 N Mansell GB Williams 108 pts
2 A Senna Brz McLaren 50
3 M Schumacher Ger Benetton 47
4 R Patrese It Williams 46
5 G Berger Aut McLaren 33
6 M Brundle GB Benetton 30
7 J Alesi Fr Ferrari 13
8 M Hakkinen Fin Lotus Ford 11
9 M Alboreto It Footwork 6
10 A De Cesaris It Tyrrell 5
11 E Comas Fr Ligier 4
12 K Wendlinger Aut March Ilmor 3
= I Capelli It Ferrari 3
14 P Martini It Dallara 2
= J Herbert GB Lotus 2
16 B Gachot Bel Venturi 1
CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(after Portuguese Grand Prix)
1 Williams 154 points
2 McLaren 83
3 Benetton 77
4 Ferrari 16
5 Lotus Ford 13
6 Footwork 6
7 Tyrrell 5
8 Ligier Renault 4
9 March Ilmor 3
10 Dallara 2
11 Venturi 1
Nigel Mansell celebrated his last ever Grand Prix race in Europe with a
superb record-breaking victory. The British ace showed exactly what Formula
One racing will be missing by leading from start to finish for his ninth
victory of the season. Mansell was never challenged as he built up an
untouchable lead, and his rivals were left to squabble amongst each other for
the rest of the points. His Williams teammate Ricardo Patrese failed to finish
after a spectacular crash involving Gerhard Berger.
28.09.92 - F1
Johnny Herbert has emerged as the latest candidate for the 1993 vacancy at
Canon Williams-Renault alongside former world champion Alain Prost. Herbert,
28, is considered hot property in Formula One and it is Lotus' reported
financial problems which suggest they may be prepared to release him from his
contract for next year. Williams could buy the contract out and transfer
Herbert to their Didcot base. In the process this would help out both teams'
problems.
29.09.92 - F1
Alain Prost drove a Williams-Renault FW14B for the first time on Tuesday after being announced as one of the Canon Williams team drivers for 1993. The Frenchman was at Estoril with the team's test driver Damon Hill and he was soon setting the pace. He was quickest at the end of the first day with a time of 1 min 16.87 secs, ahead of Jean Alesi in a Ferrari and Mark Blundell in a McLaren-Honda. "I was not here to set a quick time but to get to know the car and the team," Prost said afterwards.