March 1994

01.03.94
F1:- Martin Brundle began three days of testing for the McLaren Formula One team on Tuesday, prompting rumours he is to join the Formula One team. McLaren said the British driver will be testing the new McLaren Peugeot MP4-9 as a free agent. Brundle has been without a team since leaving Ligier at the end of last season. Alain Prost has also been tipped to drive alongside Finn Mika Hakkinen in next season's world championship.



PORTUGUESE RALLY
Positions after 10 of 36 special stages
	         	     hr:mn.sc
 1 J Kankkunen Fin  Toyota    1:33.19
 2 F Delecour  Fr   Ford      1:33.20
 3 M Biasion   It   Ford      1:33.24
 4 A Aghini    It   Toyota    1:33.58
 5 D Auriol    Fr   Toyota    1:34.05
 6 C Sainz     It   Subaru    1:34.26
 7 B Thiry     Bel  Ford      1:34.26
 8 C McRae     GB   Subaru    1:34.58
 9 F Peres     Por  Ford      1:37.42
10 J Macedo    Por  Renault   1:40.55

Delecour broken right front driveshaft. Biasion sets new record time. Fiorio retires with low oil pressure




02.03.94
F1:- Team Lotus boss Peter Collins has issued a hands off warning to anyone trying to lure Johnny Herbert away from the team. Herbert has recently been linked with Malboro McLaren-Peugot as a potential partner for their Finnish star Mika Hakkinen. Collins said: "We have three drivers. All of them will be driving for us this year. I cannot see any situation at all where Johnny can be contacted to another team," Collins added.



PORTUGUESE RALLY
Positions after 18 of 36 special stages
	                     hr:mn.sc
 1 J Kankkunen Fin  Toyota    3:05.24
 2 M Biasion   It   Ford      3:05.50
 3 D Auriol    Fr   Toyota    3:06.34
 4 C Sainz     It   Subaru    3:07.05
 5 C McRae     GB   Subaru    3:07.28
 6 F Peres     Por  Ford      3:18.29
 7 T Makinen   Fin  Nissan    3:23.07
 8 J Macedo    Por  Renault   3:23.35
 9 G de Mevius Bel  Opel      3:24.21
10 J Puras     Por  Ford      3:28.50

B Thiry retired on stage 14 after he suffered a broken radiator point.

Francois Delecour has been forced to retire from the Portuguese Rally with engine problems. After one lap of the Lousada track his engine suffered mechanical damage which could not be repaired to allow the crew to continue. It was a blow for Delecour who needs points at each event to challenge for the Champions title. "I must put this behind me now and concentrate on winning on the tarmac in Corsica. The Escort's the quickest car on asphalt," he said.

RALLY OF WALES:- Organisers of this year's Mobil 1/Top Gear British Rally Championship have confirmed a five-event series for 1994. It gets under way with the Vauxhall Rally of Wales on March 25/26 and ends at the Manx International event in September. The Championship has attracted new manufacturers this year, including Nissan and Volkswagen.




03.03.94 - PORUGUESE RALLY
Positions after 28 of 36 special stages
			     hr:mn.sc
 1 J Kankkunen Fin  Toyota    4:38.59
 2 D Auriol    Fr   Toyota    4:39.40
 3 M Biasion   It   Ford      4:40.02
 4 C Sainz     It   Subaru    4:40.59
 5 F Peres     Por  Ford      4:58.21
 6 J Macedo    Por  Renault   5:08.34
 7 J Puras     Por  Ford      5:15.04
 8 R Sperrer   Por  Audi      5:16.32
 9 R Madeira   Por  Sierra    5:26.14
10 P Sibera    Cze  Skoda     5:28.37

Britain's Colin McRae became the latest big name to bow out of the Portuguese Rally when his Subaru was hit by electrical problems. He was lying 1 min 53 secs behind leader Juha Kankkunen in fifth place when his car stalled on a steep hill on stage 25. It was a big blow to the Scot who had been going well and was fastest on stage 23 and joint quickest on stage 24. Francois Delecour and Andrea Aghini went out of the event on Wednesday.




04.03.94 - PORTUGUESE RALLY

Final positions            hrs mins secs
 1 J Kankkunen Fin  Toyota    6:20.59
 2 D Auriol    Fr   Toyota    6:21.39
 3 M Biasion   It   Ford      6:21.49
 4 C Sainz     It   Subaru    6:23.15
 5 F Peres     Por  Ford      6:49.39
 6 J Macedo    Por  Renault   7:05.52
 7 R Sperrer   Por  Audi      7:11.49
 8 J Puras     Sp   Ford      7:16.17
 9 R Madeira   Por  Sierra    7:25.37
10 P Sibera    Cz   Skoda     7:29.22

World champion Juha Kankkunen won the Portuguese Rally with Toyota team mate Didier Auriol 40 seconds behind in second place. Finland's Kankkunen made the difficult conditions look easy as he completed the 36 special stages in a time of 6 hrs 20 mins 59 secs. The dusty tracks proved no problem for Kankkunen's Celica though Scot Colin McRae could not say the same as he was forced to retire early. Italian Massimo Biasion came third in a time of 6 hrs 21 mins 49 secs.




07.03.94 - F1
Austrian Roland Ratzenberger has signed to drive for the new Simtek Formula One team in at least the first five Grands Prix of 1994. He will join David Brabham for testing at Imola prior to the Brazilian GP on March 27. Arrows have agreed a $2 million sponsorship deal with Europe's largest jeans manufacturer Lee Cooper for the 1994 GP season. The firm will supply clothing for the team, who have Christian Fittipaldi as number one driver.

Finnish driver JJ Lehto has been passed fit to take part in testing for Benetton at Imola this week. He broke vertebrae in his neck in an accident at Silverstone earlier this year but doctors have given him the all-clear to drive. Mark Blundell tested the new Tyrrell 022 at Brands Hatch for the first time on Monday. Technical director Harvey Postlethwaite said the test went well and the team were very pleased with the session.




08.03.94
F1:- Alain Prost got back in a Formula One car Tuesday for the first time since announcing his retirement, but failed to make an impression. The four-times world champion, who quit motor racing five months ago, was testing the new McLaren-Peugeot on the Estoril circuit in Portugal. Prost completed six laps in all, but the unofficial quickest lap time of 1 min, 16.6secs was far from impressive. Damon Hill clocked 1:11.49 at the same circuit last year to clinch pole position in the Portugese GP.

Alain Prost said he was unlikely to make a decision about a full-time to return to Formula One racing for another month. After completing his first day's testing with McLaren in Estoril, Prost admitted he still retained "a great passion" for the sport. He said: "I felt quite emotional when I started driving the car again this morning. "It is difficult for me to know what to say. It may be one month before I announce my decision."

SPORTSCARS:- Ferrari are making a return to international sportscar racing and will compete in this year's Le Mans for the first time since 1973. Two factory-prepared models will compete in the 24 hour race, with one of the cars driven by King Juan Carlos of Spain's nephew.




09.03.94 - TOURING CARS
Thirty riders have been confirmed for this year's Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship. The list reveals six former F1 GP drivers including newcomers Eric van de Poele, Jan Lammers and Gabriele Tarquini. There are also four former BTCC champions in the line-up - namely John Cleland (1989), Will Hoy (1991), Tim Harvey (1992) and Andy Rouse, who has won four titles. The 21-race series, which boasts 10 manufacturer-backed works teams, starts at Thruxton om April 4.




10.03.94 - F1

Wednesday testing times at Imola:mins secs
 1 A Senna      Brz Williams   1:22.253
 2 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:22.662
 3 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:23.631
 4 J Verstappen Hol Benetton   1:23.648
 5 J Alesi      It  Ferrari    1:23.699
 6 M Alboreto   It  Minardi    1:25.010
 7 C Fittipaldi Brz Arrows     1:25.497
 8 PL Martini   It  Martini    1:25.604
 9 O Panis      Fr  Ligier     1:25.880
10 D Brabham    Aus Simtek     1:26.397
11 R Rat'berger Aut Simtek     1:30.253

Britain's Martin Brundle has the chance to press his claims for a seat with McLaren when he tests for them at Estoril this weekend. Frenchman Phillipe Alliot will take over on Monday or Tuesday next week with one of them likely to be signed if Alain Prost rejects an offer to come out of retirement.



11.03.94
INDYCAR:- Nigel Mansell has said he is confident of retaining his IndyCar championship as he prepares for the first race of the season next week. The former Formula One champion arrived in Surfers Paradise in Australia brimming with optimism. He said: "We've done a lot of homework, a lot of testing and it's been very encouraging. "It's just fantastic to be back here. I'm pleased to say I'm fitter than I was this time last year."






13.03.94 - RALLYCROSS
Dublin's Dermot Carnegie had a double success in the first round of the RAC British Rallycross Championship at Brands Hatch. Carnegie's Metro 6R4 took victory in both the Championship Final and Super Final for the day's fastest cars.





15.03.94 - F1
Frenchman Alain Prost ended months of speculation by ruling out a comeback to F1 with McLaren-Peugeot. The four-times world champion, who test-drove the new McLaren MP4/9 last week, ended the rumours by announcing he was retiring for good. "I wanted to test myself, to see if I really wanted to start again," he said. "The answer is no. I'm not ready to take the risks anymore." Briton Martin Brundle is now firm favourite to partner team leader Mika Hakkinen, but Philippe Alliot is also still in the running.

The Australian Grand Prix will move to Melbourne from Adelaide in 1996, a year earlier than planned. Talks will now take place with a view to switching the race's place in the Grand Prix schedule from October to March. The race will be held on a street circuit around Melbourne's Albert Park Lake.




17.03.94
INDYCAR:- Nigel Mansell sets out in defence of his Indy Car world crown at Surfers' Paradise on Sunday happier than he has ever been in his career. The 40-year-old lines up with Mario Andretti in the Newman-Haas team, with Andretti set to retire at the end of the year. Mansell said: "This is going to be something special this season with a lot of close racing and Mario's swansong as well. I am looking forward to this year more than any other in the past."

F3000, F3, F.VAUXHALL:- Paul Stewart Racing have confirmed their driver line-up for 1994. Brazilian Gil de Ferran will be partnered by Didier Cottaz in the Formula 3000 team. Dario Franchitti and Jan Magnussen will drive in Formula 3 and Ralph Firman and Owen McAuley are in Formula Vauxhall.

F1:- Benetton have announced that test driver Jos Verstappen will replace the injured JJ Lehto in next Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix. MTV are to be the title sponsor of Simtek's inaugural season in Formula One.

F.RENAULT:- Renault's premier UK racing series is to be sponsored by Ultrafilter International as part of a six-figure deal.

WEST CORK RALLY:- County Cork driver Liam McCarthy is the favourite for this weekend's Keohane Readymix West Cork Rally.





18.03.94 - INDYCAR
Nigel Mansell began the defence of his Indy Car world title by shattering his own Gold Coast lap record at Surfers Paradise. Mansell was almost three seconds inside his previous best with a time of 1 min 35.683 secs in the first qualifying session for Sunday's opening Grand Prix. He said: "Maybe I'll go a little bit better tomorrow. I think the pole time could be a full second quicker than today." Michael Andretti was second fastest just 0.165 secs behind Mansell.




19.03.94 - INDYCAR
Nigel Mansell kept his promise by lowering his own lap record in final practice to clinch pole for Sunday's race at Surfers Paradise. He scorched round the 2.795-mile circuit in 1 min 34.777 secs to shave almost a second off his lap time set 24 hours earlier. "It has been a fantastic day. We just got everything together," said Mansell, who won the Indy Car title as a rookie last year. Michael Andretti clinched the other front row place in the new Reynard Ford with a speed of 105.286mph.


Leading final qualifiers for Sunday's race at Surfers Paradise, Australia:
			         mph
 1 N Mansell   GB  Lola Ford   106.053
 2 M Andretti  US  Reyn'd Ford 105.286
 3 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Ilm  104.788
 4 A Fernandez Mex Reyn'd Ilm  104.713
 5 A Unser jr  US  Penske Ilm  104.384
 6 P Tracy     Can Penske Ilm  104.380
 7 M Gugelmin  Brz Lola Chev   104.372
 8 J Vil'neuve Can Reyn'd Ford 104.291
 9 R Gordon    US  Lola Ford   104.077
10 J Vasser    US  Reyn'd Ford 103.864




20.03.94 - INDYCAR: SURFERS PARADISE
Nigel Mansell made an unhappy start to his defence of the IndyCar title as he finished ninth in the opening race at Surfers Paradise. He was involved in a confrontation with Michael Andretti after complaining about the American's driving during the pace lap. The race itself was delayed for over two hours by rain and a number of accidents and Mansell's chances faded when he spun off on lap 25. Andretti ultimately won by 1.33 secs from Emerson Fittipaldi, with his father Mario in third place.

Nigel Mansell was left cursing his luck after a mid-race spin in wet conditions cost him his chance of victory in Australia. "I can honestly say I have never been in a race like that in my life," said Mansell, who finished a lap behind in ninth place. "The weather conditions turned it into a bit of a lottery. All I can say is, what a crazy race." Mansell was involved in a pre-race row with Michael Andretti, who said "A couple of things were said, but then we got on with our job."

American Michael Andretti answered his critics as he steered his Reynard Ford to victory in near darkness at Surfers Paradise. "This victory means so much to me after what I went through last year," said Andretti, who failed to impress in Formula One in 1993. The fading light prompted officials to cut the scheduled 65-lap race short by ten laps. "They made a good call. It was getting so dark out there, it was difficult to see," Andretti added.



Result from Surfers Paradise, Australia after 55 laps:
				 laps
 1 M Andretti  US  Reynard Ford   55
 2 E Fit'paldi Brz Penske Ilm     55
 3 M Andretti  US  Lola Ford      55
 4 J Vasser    US  Reynard Ford   55
 5 S Johansson Swe Penske Ilmor   55
 6 M Gugelmin  Brz Reynard Ford   55
 7 T Fabi      It  Reynard Ilmor  54
 8 M Groff     US  Lola Honda     54
 9 N Mansell   GB  Lola Ford      54
10 S Goodyear  Can Lola Ford      53



21.03.94
F1:- Martin Brundle has been confirmed as Mika Hakkinen's team mate in the Marlboro McLaren Peugeot line-up at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. King's Lynn driver Brundle got the nod over Frenchman Phillippe Alliot who has also joined the team. Both men should give experienced support to young Finnish driver Hakkinen as McLaren develop and test their new car. Brundle took a massive gamble when he decided to reject earlier offers from Ligier and Jordan hoping for a drive with the McLaren team.

Team Lotus have joined forces with The European newspaper who have agreed to a sponsorship deal for the 1994 championship season.

TOURING CARS:- Nissan will be seeking the sweet smell of success with a three-car assault on the British Touring Car title backed by Old Spice. Team drivers Keith Odor and Tiff Needell will be joined this season by former F1 ace Eric van de Poele. "Pre-season tests have gone really well," said the 32-year-old Belgian "We have tried many new things. I think the car is very competitive." The striking red and white updated Nissan Primera eGTs were unveiled at Donington and will be in action at Thruxton on Easter Monday.





23.03.94 - F1
JOHN WATSON PREVIEWS THE 1994 F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The 1994 season ought to be even better for Williams than 1993 - which indicates total domination. Ayrton Senna takes the place of Alain Prost, and you can believe he will be driving as much to win races as to win the championship. Damon Hill will benefit from having the most competitive man in F1 over the last decade as his teammate. Renault V-10 power and outstanding aerodynamic properties tidy up the most complete package this year.

McLaren have not found the definitive replacement for Ayrton Senna but Martin Brundle has impressed with his testing ability. Brundle's race driving is equally outstanding and he and teammate Mika Hakkinen will certainly liven up qualifying sessions. The Finn should also find his British colleague a solid base from which to further his own career. I expect Peugeot's V10 to make rapid progress in the HP stakes though for Brazil a points finish, in my mind, is the top priority.

Benetton-Ford offer the most immediate challenge to Williams, and Michael Schumacher may well prove an albatross to Ayrton Senna. Mile-high confidence and commitment equals speed and the new Ford Zetec R engine is already faster than last year's six GP-winning unit. The unfortunate JJ Lehto is still unfit to take part in Brazil and 'cub driver' Jos Verstappen will deputise. But Interlagos will prove a daunting venue for his debut.

Ferrari have probably made more internal changes in the last year than all of their rival teams put together. The 412 T1 shows new mechanical and aerodynamic thinking, though the power still relies on Ferrari's loyalty to a V-12 layout. They are definitely the team to watch over the season. Can Jean Alesi finally break his GP duck and will Gerhard Berger finally pick up where he left off with McLaren at the end of 1992.

The 1994 season signifies a new start for the Tyrrell Yamaha team. A straightforward, well-engineered design and an easy "set up and drive" package should give newcomer Mark Blundell and teammate Ukyo Katayama a good season. It will also provide Yamaha with a suitable chassis to partner their latest V-10 engine. I expect the team to be a consistent points scorer this season.

Unfortunately for Lotus Mugen-Honda everything does not look as rosy as their potential would indicate. The move to a Mugen-Honda V-10 engine does not automatically mean a faster car. Coupled with the much-publicised rift between Johnny Herbert and the team management, the season could well prove disharmonious. The danger is that Herbert's teammate Pedro Lamy may also suffer as he benefits from a 'family atmosphere.'

Footwork Ford will run a customer 7/8 series Ford HB engine in 1994. That is the ideal engine package for a team at this level. Christian Fittipaldi and Gianni Morbidelli are both new to the team Larrousse Ford are always difficult to assess though their move to the Ford HB engine will undoubtedly provide consistency in performance. Erik Comas remains with the team and is joined by Olivier Beretta out of F3000. They could spring a surprise from time to time.

Jordan's improved chassis powered by Brian Hart's V-10 engine will provide Rubens Barrichello with good results this season. Eddie Irvine is now a full-time GP driver who has personality and speed - an intriguing team balance. Minardi Ford are one of four teams using the Ford HB engine and now benefit from much stronger finance. With the experienced Michele Alboreto and Pierluigi Martini in the line-up, they could prove the most competitive of the four.

Ligier may have the best engine in F1 but it is not good enough to make them competitive. Internal complications have also damaged pre-season expectations. Eric Bernard returns, partnered by F3000 champion Olivier Panis. Sauber Mercedes compete for the second year and once again they are proving fast in winter testing. Heinz Harald Frentzen is considered the fastest German driver and will push Karl Wendlinger very hard. They are certainly a team capable of making the top four.

Simtek-Ford are one of two new British teams to appear in 1994. For any new team it is important to learn to walk before they can run. Dave Brabham fulfils that need but new face Roland Ratzenberger's need is always to be fast. Pacific Ilmor are the other fresh entrants with Keith Wiggins making a brave step into F1 from F3000. A sensible car-engine package will be exploited to the full by Betrand Gachot, but whether Paul Belmondo can sustain his position remains to be seen.

JOHN WATSON ON THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX

This year sees a lot of revision of car regulations as well as the re-introduction of refuelling. The object of the changes is to spice up F1 for spectators and TV as well laying a stronger hand on teams who apply lateral thinking to their interpretation of the rules. All electronically-controlled aids are prohibited so traction control, fly-by-wire throttles, power brakes and active suspension are outlawed. Ironically, the outcome of all the changes is that cars for 1994 are already much faster than last year.

Refuelling has proved controversial with teams for a number of reasons. Firstly, there are worries over safety in the pit-lane, both from fire and potential collisions. Secondly, the cost of equipment, transportation and additional personnel is likely to be high. My feelings are that everybody is overly expressing their concerns, as the refuelling change will undoubtedly open up a totally new strategy for teams.

In Brazil, most teams will start the race with about one third of the fuel they require and have two pit-stops for fuel and fresh tyres. That's the way the race will be run quickest, but of course each team may choose to do different things with their two drivers. There is likely to be a "sliding strategy" which in my view further adds to the interest of each GP. Every circuit this year will have to be considered individually and accurate calculations made before each race.

The Brazilian GP is held at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace Interlagos. With 71 laps and a total distance of 190.777 miles, the more pit-stops a driver makes the more he will be forced to overtake. For some that is not a problem. For others it will be a major problem as overtaking here is never easy. The circuit is bumpy in places and that, combined with the counter-clockwise layout, will ensure a tough weekend's racing.

A racing driver's neck muscles are more developed on the left-hand side and those who have had little winter testing will suffer. The known toughies out there will not notice the difference a counter-clockwise layout provides. But those I know will hurt include Martin Brundle, who was only named as a McLaren driver last Monday. Fortunately McLaren offer support from a full-time physio at every GP and it is that attention to detail that has contributed to their successes in the past.

Another major factor in Brazil is the changeable weather, which had a big effect last year. Being over 2,000ft above sea level, you can at least sit in the pit lanes or in your car and see what is coming in the distance. Only seven sets of slicks are available per weekend, and in conjunction with a pre-determined race strategy, this will be vital. Ideally, you want to be sparing during practice and qualifying as now grid position is not quite so critical as last year.

Ayrton Senna is undoubtedly the race favourite as well as the F1 title favourite. His amazement expressed after experiencing Renault V-10 power for the first time must have made him realise how good Williams were during 1993. Theoretically, he should cruise to this year's championship. Obviously, it is a very comfortable position to be in but I don't believe it is always good for the driver or team.

Damon Hill starts with a new teammate in Brazil and undoubtedly the experience will pay dividends. I am convinced the introduction of Ayrton Senna to Williams will benefit Hill as it will further exploit his untapped potential. But Williams is certainly not the best place to be in "buddy-buddy" terms this season. It must not be forgotten that Hill is not there to ride shotgun. He is there to win for the team and for himself.

Michael Schumacher will go for Ayrton Senna mercilessly at every opportunity he gets. Sky-high confidence and the highest level of personal fitness promise Schumacher many podium finishes during the season. Neither he nor Damon Hill are any respectors of Senna's intimidatory driving tactics. From time to time we may see tears being shed by one of these three gentlemen.

Martin Brundle's decision to sit it out in the hope of a McLaren seat was brave and worthy of respect. It has taken Brundle ten years to secure a drive in a top team and I can't see him wasting the chance. Team members have been very impressed with his ability to provide car information, such a vital link between the human and mechancial elements of a GP car. After a decade in Formula One, will '94 finally see Brundle on the winner's podium?

Johnny Herbert's prospects for 1994 presently look very unsettled. The relationship with his team has deteriorated to such a point where he asked team boss Peter Collins for a release from his contract. Herbert is not a hardcase like others in Formula One and the atmosphere that prevails cannot help his career. I think it is a terrible waste of a natural gifted driver's ability and equally demoralising for the team.

Eddie Irvine rocked Formula One on its heels last year in Japan - in effect his "home circuit" at Suzuka. Becoming a full-time member of a GP team has presented him with new challenges. A lot of circuits this year will be new to him, including Brazil, but he is fast, good and - forget all appearances - he is very seriousabout his motor racing. With support coming from the Irish Tourist Board, the family feelings in the team will be strong.



24.03.94
F1:- Argentina will get the green light to host a grand prix in October if the Buenos Aires track is spruced up within the next three weeks. The FIA world motor sport council gave the race only provisional status when it finalised the rest of the 1994 cal endar last year. But after inspecting the Oscar Alfredo Galvez track, Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone said: "It is more or less in line with what we've got in the rest of the world." Argentina last hosted a Formula One race in 1981.

RALLYING:- Britain's toughest challenge in rallying, the Mobil 1/Top Gear RAC British Championship, gets underway in Chester on Friday. Malcolm Wilson, in the Michelin Pilot Team Ford Escort, is favourite in a record 180-car entry. Wilson's strongest challengers are teammate Stephen Finlay, Birger Gundersen in a factory-built Toyota Celica and Bertie Fisher in a Subaru Impreza. David Llewellin (Astra GSi) is favourite in the new two-wheel drive non-turbocharged category.



BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 1994 SCHEDULE

Mar 25-26: Round 1: VAUXHALL RALLY OF WALES Chester - 140 miles, all gravel

Apr 23-24: Round 2: PIRELLI INTERNATIONAL. Carlisle - 140 miles, all gravel

Jun 3-5: Round 3: PERTH SCOTTISH RALLY. Perth - 165 miles (95% gravel)

Jul 29-30: Round 4: ULSTER RALLY. Belfast - 190 miles, all asphalt

Sep 14-16: Round 5: MANX INTERNATIONAL RALLY. Douglas - 250 miles, all asphalt



25.03.94

F1: THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
Friday's qualifying times:    mins secs
 1 A Senna      Brz Williams   1:16.386
 2 M Schumacher Ger Benetton   1:16.575
 3 J Alesi      Fr  Ferrari    1:17.772
 4 K Wendlinger Aut Sauber     1:17.982
 5 M Hakkinen   Fin McLaren    1:18.124
 6 H Frentzen   Ger Sauber     1:18.144
 7 D Hill       GB  Williams   1:18.270
 8 P Martini    It  Minardi    1:18.659
 9 C Fittipaldi Brz Footwork   1:18.730
10 R Bar'chello Brz Jordan     1:18.759
11 J Verstappen Hol Benetton   1:18.787
12 M Brundle    GB  McLaren    1:18.864
13 G Berger     Aut Ferrari    1:18.931
14 G Morbidelli It  Footwork   1:18.970
15 E Comas      Fr  Larrousse  1:18.970
16 M Blundell   GB  Tyrrell    1:19.045
17 E Irvine     Ire Jordan     1:19.269
18 O Panis      Fr  Ligier     1:19.304
19 E Bernard    Fr  Ligier     1:19.396
20 M Alboreto   It  Minardi    1:19.517
21 U Katayama   Jpn Tyrrell    1:19.519
22 J Herbert    GB  Lotus      1:19.798
23 O Beretta    Mon Larrousse  1:19.922
24 P Lamy       Por Lotus      1:21.029
25 D Brabham    Aus Simtek     1:22.266
26 B Gachot     Bel Pacific    1:22.495
27 R Rat'berger Aut Simtek     1:23.707
28 P Belmondo   Fr  Pacific     no laps

Ayrton Senna dominated the opening qualifying for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix to take provisional pole position on his Williams debut. The 34-year-old Brazilian clocked an early fast lap and stayed on top with a best time of one minute 16.386 seconds in the second run. Senna's effort left him two-tenths of a second clear of second-placed Michael Schumacher in his Benetton. Britons Damon Hill and Martin Brundle had a disappointing day as they finished seventh and 12th respectively.



VAUXHALL RALLY OF WALES
Positions after 5 of 12 stages:mins secs
 1 S Finlay      Ford Escort     37.39
 2 B Gunderson   Toyota Celica   38.17
 3 T Abrah'sson  Ford Escort     38.56
 4 M Grierson    Subaru Legacy   39.15
 5 A MacHale     Toyota Celica   39.41
 6 B Fisher      Subaru Impreza  39.55
 7 S Viermiaa    Ford Sierra     39.57
 8 N Worswick    Ford Sierra     40.05
 9 T Laukkanen   Mitsubishi G    40.23
10 D Llewellin   Vauxhall Astra  40.23

Malcolm Wilson's bid for victory in the opening round of the championship came to a grinding halt on the second special stage. The 37-year-old Cumbrian got off to the perfect start, racing into the lead over the opening forestry test. But his joy was short-lived when both fuel pumps seized on the next stage, forcing him to retire. Wilson's teammate, Stephen Finlay, led at the end of the first leg with a time of 37 mins 39 secs, 38 seconds clear of Norwegian Birger Gunderson in a Toyota.




26.03.94 - F1

Final Qualifying Grid:
 1 Ayton Senna         Brz Williams Renault
 2 Michael Schumacher  Ger Benetton Ford
 3 Jean Alesi          Fra Ferrari
 4 Damon Hill          GB  Williams Renault
 5 H.Harold-Frentzen   Ger Sauber Mercedes
 6 Gianni Morbidelli   Ita Footwork Ford
 7 Karl Wendlinger     Aut Sauber Mercedes
 8 Mika Hakkinen       Fin McLaren Peugeot
 9 Jos Verstappen      Hol Benetton Ford
10 Ukyo Katayama       Jpn Tyrrell Yamaha
11 Christ'n Fittipaldi Brz Footwork Ford
12 Mark Blundell       GB  Tyrrell Yamaha
13 Erik Comas          Fra Larrousse Ford
14 Rubens Barrichello  Brz Jordan Hart
15 Pierluigi Martini   Ita Minardi Ford
16 Eddie Irvine        Ire Jordan Hart
17 Gerhard Berger      Aut Ferrari
18 Martin Brundle      GB  McLaren Peugeot
19 Olivier Panis       Fra Ligier Renault
20 Eric Bernard        Fra Ligier Renault
21 Johnny Herbery      GB  Lotus Mugen-Honda
22 Michele Alboreto    Ita Minardi Ford
23 Olivier Beretta     Mon Larrousse Ford
24 Pedro Lamy          Por Lotus Mugen-Honda
25 Bertrand Gachot     Bel Pacific-Ilmor
26 David Brabham       Aus Simtek Ford



27.03.94 - F1: Brazilian Grand Prix
			       hr:mn:secs	
 1 M.Schumacher  Ger Benetton  1:35:38.759
 2 D.Hill        GB  Williams  @ 1 lap
 3 J.Alesi       Fra Ferrari   @ 1 lap
 4 R.Barrichello Brz Jordan    @ 1 lap
 5 U.Katayama    Jpn Tyrrell   @ 2 laps
 6 K.Wendlinger  Aut Sauber    @ 2 laps
 7 J.Herbert     GB  Lotus     @ 2 laps
 8 P.Martini     Ita Minardi   @ 2 laps
 9 E.Comas       Fra Larrousse @ 2 laps
10 P.Lamy        Por Lotus     @ 2 laps
11 O.Panis       Fra Ligier    @ 2 laps
12 D.Brabham     Aus Simtek    @ 3 laps