January 2001 Motorsport News


01.01.2001

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Spain's Juan Roma and Italy's Giovanni Sala were the fastest on the first special stage on Monday. The colourful 360-vehicle caravan of cars, motorbikes and trucks set off from beneath the Eiffel Tower in the rain at dawn. The easy part of 23rd race is a 916-kilometer first stage through France to Narbonne, near the border with Spain. Roma, on a BMX motorbike, and Sala, riding a KTM, set the fastest times, both clocking 3min 37sec.

Result after stage one (3.7 miles):
Motorcycles              mins secs
 1 G Sala        It           3:37
 = J Roma        Sp           3:37
 3 A Cox         SA           3:38
 4 R Sainct      Fr           3:39
 5 J Campbell    US           3:40
 = J Lewis       US           3:40

Cars
 1 JM Servia     Sp           3:43
 2 JL Schlesser  Fr           3:45
 3 H Masuoka     Jp           3:48
 = K Shinozuka   Jp           3:48
 5 J K'schmidt   Ger          3:51

CHRISTMAS STAGES RALLY:- Anthony Eaden triumphed in the Christmas Stages Rally at Catterick Garrison on December 30. Eaden finished a minute ahead of Tony Bardy in second. Paul Bird was nine seconds back in third.



02.11.2000 - PARIS-DAKAR RALLY

Organisers have cancelled the third stage of the event's motorcycling race citing "excessive" financial demands from Spanish motorcycling authorities. The leg of the rally had been due to run from Castellon to Costa Azahar in Spain on Wednesday. But the stage was scrapped after the Spanish Motorcycling Federation demanded a staging fee of 275,000 French francs (39,500 dollars). The figure was "extremely excessive" Paris-Dakar organisers said.

British BMW rider John Deacon lost 30 minutes on the leaders after breaking down during the 35km special stage on the second day of the event. Deacon limped in second to last in Chateau Lastours, having finally managed to get his BMW going again. KTM's Richard Sainct took the stage by 56 seconds, ahead of Juan Roma of Spain, with Kari Tianen of KTM third. In the auto section, Jean-Louis Schlesser clocked 30min 33sec to lead Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan by 11 seconds.

Result after stage 2, 35km (Tue):
Cars                     mins secs
 1 JL Schlesser    Fr       30:33
 2 H Masuoka       Jp       30:44
 3 K Shinozuka     Jp       31:12
 4 JM Servia       Sp       31:27
 5 C Sousa         Por      31:30

Motorcycles
 1 R Sainct        Fr       31:25
 2 J Roma          Sp       32:21
 3 K Tianen        Fin      32:22
 4 G Sala          It       32:23
 5 J Campbell      US       32:37
 6 J Mayer         Ger      32:48






03.01.2001

F1:- Minardi have insisted that they will be on the grid for the start of the 2001 campaign - even though they have yet to seal an engine deal. Team boss Giancarlo Minardi told the BBC: "I have no intention of commenting on reports until the negotiations we are involved in are definite. But Minardi will be at the start of the championship in 2001. And we are doing everything in our power to come to a solution because time is money."

F3000:- Brazilians Antonio Pizzonia and Ricardo Sperafico will drive for the Petrobas Junior team in the 2001 FIA Formula 3000 International Championship. Pizzonia won the British Formula Three title in 2000 and Sperafico triumphed in the Italian Formula 3000 series. "I am very happy to have joined this team. I hope I can do a good job here," said Pizzonia. Team manager Paul Jackson added: "We are delighted to have secured the services of two such talented drivers."

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka took the overall lead in the rally after finishing second behind team mate Jean Pierre Fontenay in the third stage. Masuoka took over from overnight leader Jean-Louis Schlesser after the two time winner of the rally finished 13th. The beach course caused plenty of problems for the drivers with Kenjiro Shinozuka getting stuck. The start of the race was held up for 40 minutes Polisario Front members calling for an independent state.

Result after stage 3 (Wed):
Cars                       mins secs
1 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi  8.20
2 H Masuoka     Jpn Mitsubishi  8.26
3 G de Mevius   Bel Nissan      8.53
4 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan      8.53
5 C Souza       Por Mitsubishi  8.54

Motorcycles
Third stage cancelled

Overall standings after stage 3 (Wed):
Cars                        mins secs
1 H Masuoka     Jpn Mitsubishi  42.58
2 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser   43.44
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi  43.58
4 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser   44.04
5 G de Mevius   Bel Nissan      44.13

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM         35.04
2 J Roma        Sp  BMW         35.58
3 G Sala        It  KTM         36.00
4 K Tianen      Fin KTM         36.05
5 J Campbell    US  Honda       36.17




04.01.2001

F3000:- Indonesia's young racing hopeful Ananda Mikola has moved one step closer to his dream of competing in Formula One after signing a contract to race in F3000. Mikola, 20, has secured a two-year deal with British team Astromega. He said he was confident he would be able to make the step up to Formula One provided he had adequate sponsorship and the government's backing. "If the money is available and the government supports me, I'm sure I can race in Formula One," Mikola said.

F1:- Jordan's chief designer Mark Smith has left to join Benetton two months before the start of the new season. Smith follows technical director Mike Gascoyne who made the same move from Jordan to Benetton in October.

Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella will return to action on Monday following knee surgery last month. The team are set to unveil their new Renault-powered car on February 6.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser regained the lead in the car category after winning stage four by almost four minutes in his Schlesser buggy. Schlesser now leads the overall standings, while Hiroshi Masuoka, who led after three stages, slipped back to seventh overall when finishing seventh. Compatriot Richard Sainct increased his overall lead in the motorcycle category by winning the stage. Sainct, winner for the last two years led a top five for the KTM riders.

Result after stage four (Thu):
Cars                          h min s
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  1:12.12
2 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 1:15.52
3 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  1:19.06
4 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     1:20.22
5 J Kle'schmidt Ger Mitsubishi 1:20.38

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        1:16.01
2 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        1:17.15
3 F Meoni       It  KTM        1:17.28
4 A Cox         SA  KTM        1:17.34
5 K Tainen      Fin KTM        1:18.29

Overall standings after stage 4 (Thu):
Cars                           h min s
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  1:55.56
2 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 1:59.50
3 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  2:03.10
4 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     2:04.51
5 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 2:05.04

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        1:51.05
2 F Meoni       It  KTM        1:54.24
3 J Roma        Sp  BMW        1:54.32
4 K Tianen      Fin KTM        1:54.34
5 A Cox         SA  KTM        1:54.37


BRITISH GTs:- Mike Jordan will partner David Warnock in a Lister Storm in the Privilege Insurance British GT Championship next season.



05.01.2001

F1:- Jordan Grand Prix will be known as Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda in 2001 following the works engine deal with Honda Motor Company.

Double world champion Mika Hakkinen and McLaren team-mate David Coulthard will begin testing for the 2001 campaign in Valencia on January 15. The Finn, who was runner-up to Michael Schumacher last year, took time off after the Malaysian Grand Prix to be with his wife and new-born son.

Minardi have lost two members of their team to rival Formula One outfit Prost, according to the FIA official website. Frenchman Jean-Francois Sinteff and Italian Gabriele Pagliarini, who has been appointed chief mechanic at Prost, have made the switch.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Frenchmen Jean-Louis Schlesser and Richard Sainct kept their overall leads after both finished second in the 333km fifth special stage on Friday. Jose-Maria Servia of Spain won the auto category section in three hours 25 minutes 55 seconds, beating team-mate Schlesser by one minute 59 seconds. Jean-Pierre Fontenay of France was third in his Mitsubishi. Carlo de Gavardo of Chile won the motorcycle stage in 3:14.17 - the first South American victor of a stage.

Motorcyclist Jurgen Mayer has been forced out of the event after he broke his collarbone during the 333km fifth stage from Er-Rachidia to Quarzazate. The German, who was lying seventh overall, was taken to hospital by helicopter for X-rays. Mayer fell at the 159km mark of the stage, which was eventually won by Carlo De Gavardo. The next stage of the event is a 608km stage from Quarzazate to Goulimine and 305km are a special stage.

Result after stage five (Fri):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  3:25.55
2 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  3:27.54
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 3:28.14
4 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     3:29.51
5 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 3:32.00

Motorcycles
1 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        3:14.17
2 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        3:14.38
3 K Tainen      Fin KTM        3:16.35
4 J Roma        Sp  BMW        3:17.10
5 F Meoni       It  KTM        3:18.06

Overall standings after stage 5 (Fri):
Cars                           h min s
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  5:23.50
2 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 5:28.04
3 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  5:29.05
4 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     5:34.42
5 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 5:38.11

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        5:05.43
2 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        5:11.06
3 K Tianen      Fin KTM        5:11.09
4 J Roma        Sp  BMW        5:11.42
5 F Meoni       It  KTM        5:12.30

SPORTSCARS:- The Interactive Sportscar Championship has been given official championship status by the MSA. The 12-round series for on-road cars will begin in May and will be broadcast using the latest in digital technology. Digital television viewers will be able to select camera angles in any car and listen to driver conversations.



06.01.2001

F1:- Spanish teenager Fernando Alonso expects to find out within 10 days whether he will drive for Minardi in Formula One next season. The season starts on March 4 and Minardi, who scored no points in 2000, have yet to announce an engine deal, drivers or major sponsor for 2001.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser stayed on target for a third straight victory by winning the sixth stage in his self-designed Schlesser Buggy. Schlesser now has an overall lead of five minutes 57 seconds over teammate Jose-Maria Servia. Spaniard Joan Roma won the motorcycling stage on his BMW, the first stage win this year for both BMW and Roma. Richard Sainct, winner for the last two years, still has an overall lead of five minutes 26 seconds.

Result after stage six (Sat):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  3:17.24
2 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  3:18.06
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 3:25.49
4 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 3:26.37
5 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     3:27.46

Motorcycles
1 J Roma        Sp  BMW        3:13.39
2 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        3:14.01
3 K Tianen      Fin KTM        3:14.01
4 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        3:15.21
5 A Cox         SA  KTM        3:15.45

Overall standings after stage 6 (Sat):
Cars                           h min s
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  8:41.14
2 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  8:47.11
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 8:53.53
4 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     9:02.28
5 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 9:04.48

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        8:19.44
2 K Tianen      Fin KTM        8:25.10
3 J Roma        Sp  BMW        8:25.21
4 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        8:26.27
5 A Cox         SA  KTM        8:28.29



07.01.2001 - PARIS-DAKAR RALLY

Jean-Louis Schlesser lost the lead in the rally after being hit with a one-hour time penalty at the end of the seventh stage. The Frenchman crossed the line fourth in the 420km special from Goulimine in Morocco and Smara in Western Sahara. But officials penalised him for a push from Spanish teammate Jose Maria Servia at the second checkpoint after his car had stalled. Schlesser slipped back to eighth and, ironically, Servia took over the lead.

Isidre Esteve Pujol was reinstated as the winner of the motorcyle section of the seventh stage after race judges rescinded an eight-minute time penalty. The Spaniard, who came in 40 seconds in front, was first sanctioned for failing to check in within regulation time. But officials later accepted Pujol's explanation that his absence was due to demands for interviews. Meanwhile, the Algerian Polisario Front has withdrawn its threat of violence against the event.

Result of stage seven (420km between Goulimine-Smara) on Sunday:
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 4:01.31
2 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  4:05.07
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 4:07.02
4 K Shinozuka   Jpn Mitsubishi 4:07.48
5 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 4:07.49

Motorcycles
1 I Pujol       Sp  KTM        4:02.11
2 F Meoni       It  KTM        4:03.09
3 P Lundmark    Swe KTM        4:03.25
4 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM        4:04.22
5 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        4:06.17

Overall standings after stage 7 (Sun):
Cars                          hr min s
1 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser 12:52.18
2 J-P Fontenay  Fr  M'bishi   13:00.55
3 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   13:06.19
4 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   13:14.13
5 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   13:21.03

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM       12:27.01
2 F Meoni       It  KTM       12:32.09
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       12:32.44
4 J Roma        Sp  BMW       12:34.32
5 I Pujol       Por KTM       12:47.26




08.01.2001

F1:- Jenson Button says he is happy with the way his his pre-season training for the forthcoming season has gone. The Benetton Renault driver spent five days in Lanzarote working on his fitness with test driver Mark Webber. The programme included running, mountain and road biking, swimming and weight and circuit training. He said: "I was slightly apprehensive about the intense programme but we had a really good team there and it has been lots of fun as well as hard work."

Michael Ainsley-Cowlishaw has been appointed the new race team manager with Arrows. The Briton joins Arrows from Benetton where he started in Formula One as a mechanic in 1980 and where he has been chief mechanic since 1992.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Jose Maria Servia extended his lead in the Paris-Dakar Rally on Monday after winning the 628km stage from Smara to El Ghallaouiya in Mauritania. Servia now has an overall lead of 11 minutes from French driver Jean-Pierre Fontenay, who came third in this stage. Two-time winner Jean-Louis Schlesser, who was penalised an hour on Sunday, is off the pace in sixth place. In the bike race, Saturday's stage winner Joan Roma of Spain won again but still trails Richard Sainct overall.

The driver of one of the assistance vehicles in the race has lost a foot after he drove off the course and struck a mine in the Western Sahara. Jose Eduardo Ribeiro lost his left foot in the explosion and has been taken into care by UN forces in the Western Sahara Observation Mission. The race had been under threat when its route went through Morocco. The Morrocan Army were called in after threats from separatists, but it is not yet clear who planted the mine.

Result of stage eight (628km between Smara-El Ghallaouiya Monday):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  5:14.27
2 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 5:16.25
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 5:17.20
4 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  5:19.49
5 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 5:32.18

Motorcycles
1 J Roma        Sp  BMW        5:16.41
2 R Sainct      Fr  KTM        5:19.01
3 A Cox         SA  KTM        5:21.02
4 F Meoni       It  KTM        5:21.46
5 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM        5:26.08

Overall standings after stage 8 (Mon):
Cars                          hr min s
1 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser 18:06.45
2 J-P Fontenay  Fr  M'bishi   18:18.15
3 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   18:22.44
4 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   18:51.06
5 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   18:53.21

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM       17:46.02
2 J Roma        Sp  BMW       17:51.13
3 F Meoni       It  KTM       17:53.55
4 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       18:15.02
5 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       18:22.54





09.01.2001

F1:- Jaguar have unveiled their car for the new season and are determined to build on their performance in 2000. "We have experienced a challenging first year but have implemented changes we feel are necessary to deliver our objectives," said CEO Bobby Rahal. "Our aim this year is to achieve respectability and to continue to put in place the building blocks that we believe will deliver long-term success. Our ultimate goal remains to challenge for World Championship honours."

British American Racing Honda have confirmed Briton Darren Manning and Frenchman Patrick Lemarie as their test drivers for 2001. Anthony Davidson, the 2000 McLaren Young Driver of the Year, and Takuma Sato of Japan have also joined the team Ralf Schumacher continued to dominate testing in his BMW-Williams in a rain-interrupted session in Jerez, Spain. Jenson Button missed the session but will be back on track on Wednesday when a new Renault engine arrives.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt won Stage Nine on Tuesday, beating defending champion Jean-Louis Schlesser into second place by just 25 seconds. Overall leader Jose Maria Servia was sixth in the 518km stage around the town of El Ghallaouiya in Mauritania. His lead over Hiro Masukoa has now been cut down to almost 10 minutes. Isidre Esteve Pujol of Spain has his second stage win in three days in the motorbike race. Overall leader Richard Sainct finished in ninth place.

Result of stage nine (518km around El Ghallaouiya Tuesday):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 5:22.42
2 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  5:23.07
3 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 5:23.08
4 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  5:29.13
5 T de Lavergne Fr  Nissan     5:35.30

Motorcycles
1 I Pujol       Sp  KTM        5:22.33
2 G Sala        It  KTM        5:23.53
3 C de Gavardo  Ch  KTM        5:25.26
4 J Deacon      GB  BMW        5:26.45
5 F Meoni       It  KTM        5:28.24

Overall standings after stage 9 (Tue):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 J-M Servia    Sp  Schlesser 23:35.58
2 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   23:45.52
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  M'bishi   23:54.56
4 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   24:16.03
5 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   24:27.29

Motorcycles
1 R Sainct      Fr  KTM       23:17.62
2 F Meoni       It  KTM       23:22.19
3 J Roma        Sp  BMW       23:22.40
4 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       23:43.27
5 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       23:48.20




10.01.2001

F1:- Argentine driver Gaston Mazzacane will be the second driver for the Prost Formula One team this season, Prost announced on Wednesday. The 25-year-old will partner veteran Frenchman Jean Alesi. Mazzacane first drove in Formula One in 2000 for the Minardi team, his highest finish being eighth at Monaco. The move means there is greater uncertainty over Minardi's future, as they have now lost both of their drivers from last season.

Benetton have signed Jordan chief designer Mark Smith onto their technical team. He will start a five-year contract on May 1.

F1 TESTING (Jerez)
Wednesday's testing times:   min secs
1 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:24.576
2 J P Montoya   Col Williams 1:24.732
3 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:24.786
4 M Gene        Sp  Williams 1:26.062

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan won Wednesday's 435km special stage to move into the overall lead by more than 45 minutes from Jutta Kleinschmidt. Previous leader Jose Maria Servia of Spain lost top spot after his Schlesser Buggy became stuck in a sand dune. The motorcycle winner was Alfie Cox of South Africa, but overall leader and winer for the last two years Richard Sainct dropped out with engine failure. Italy's Fabrizio Meoni took over the overall lead.

Spanish motorcycle rider Joan Roma crashed during Wednesday's 10th stage and suffered a suspected broken leg. Roma, riding a BMW, fell after just six kilometres of the 440km stage between El Ghallaouiya and Atar in Mauritania. Organisers said Roma, who was third in the overall motorcycle standings after nine stages, would be flown to hospital in Atar. The Spaniard had to quit last year's Paris-Dakar race with technical problems when he held the overall lead.

Result of 435km special stage 10 (El Ghallaouiya to Atar):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi 5:10.24
2 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  5:20.02
3 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 5:25.35
4 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 5:27.16
5 S Henrard     Bel V'swagen   6:02.53

Motorcycles
1 A Cox         SA  KTM        5:02.04
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM        5:03.03
3 F Meoni       It  KTM        5:03.58
4 K Tianen      Fin KTM        5:08.33
5 I Pujol       Sp  KTM        5:10.39
6 J Deacon      GB  BMW        5:17.58

Overall standings after stage 10 (Wed):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   28:56.16
2 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   29:41.38
3 J-M Schlesser Sp  Schlesser 29:51.16
4 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   29:54.45
5 T d Lavergne  Fr  Nissan    31:22.34

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       28:26.17
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       28:46.30
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       29:06.43
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       29:22.29
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       29:46.23
8 J Deacon      GB  BMW       31:07.37




11.01.2001

F1:- German maestro Michael Schumacher has insisted that his triumph in the world driver's championship last year would not weaken his appetite for new glory. "I am born for racing and as long as I sit in a racing car I can assure you that you don't need to have any worries about my motivation," he explained. "I have begun training a little earlier than last season and my results are slightly beyond schedule. I am looking forward to keeping the stable base and to even improve it."

RALLYING:- Mark Higgins will drive a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car on each of the seven rounds of the 2001 British Rally Championship, it has been announced. This year is the first time World Rally Cars are being allowed in the event.

TOURING CARS:- A new team, made up of Janspeed Engineering, GA Racing and Stefan Lindberg will make a combined attack on the 2001 BTCC Production class. 'GA-Janspeed Racing' will run a pair of Alfa Romeo 156 saloons in the event and a Honda Accord in some rounds of the European Touring Car Championship. Tom Ferrier will become the youngest in the top-flight British Touring Car Championship category when driving in Vauxhall Astra Coupe this season. The 19-year-old has joined the Triple Eight Race Engineering team for the series whcih starts on April 16.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- All of the top nine drivers in the car section have been penalised for various infringements during the ninth stage. Overall leader Hiroshi Masuoka was hardest hit, being docked 30 minutes to reduced his lead over two-time winner Jean-Louis Schlesser to 35 minutes. Schlesser, who suffered a 10-minute penalty, was belatedly awarded the ninth stage after appealing against original winner Jutta Kleinschmidt. Several drivers are expected to appeal against the decisions though.



12.01.2001

F1:- Ferrari team director Jean Todt says he will shortly begin talks with company president Luca di Montezemolo regarding his future with the F1 world champions. Todt's contract with Ferrari expires at the end of this year and there has been speculation that the Frenchman may then decide to leave Maranello. But Todt, who has been with Ferrari since 1993, says he has yet to decide. "Before the end of the season, I will make things clear. We will begin talks in the forthcoming weeks," said Todt.

Honda will unveil their new RA001E engine during testing at Silverstone this weekend.

F.PALMER-AUDI:- Two more European rounds have been added to the 2001 Formula Palmer Audi calender, with rounds 9 and 10 taking place in the Czech Republic in June. The two rounds scheduled for Snetterton on June 24 have been cancelled.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Spaniard Jose Maria Servia won the 437km 11th stage when the rally resumed on Friday, his fourth stage win. Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka maintained his overall lead. However, he finished 52 minutes behind Servia, meaning that less than an hour now separates the top five cars with nine stages remaining. Sweden's Per-Gunnar Lundmark won the motorcycle section, with KTM team-mate Fabrizio Meoni of Italy staying in the overall lead.

Result of 437km 11th stage (Atar to Nouakchott):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J M Servia    Sp  Schlesser  4:04.33
2 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 4:23.45
3 S Henrard     Bel V'swagen   4:29.10
4 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 4:31.30
5 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 4:31.52

Motorcycles
1 P-G Lundmark  Swe KTM        4:23.46
2 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        4:28.04
3 A Cox         SA  KTM        4:29.59
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM        4:30.39
5 K Tianen      Fin KTM        4:30.42
 
Overall standings after stage 11 (Fri):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   34:23.24
2 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   34:45.33
3 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   34:36.37
4 J-M Schlesser Sp  Schlesser 35:02.44
5 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser 35:14.14

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       32:57.36
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       33:18.49
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       33:34.47
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       33:53.08
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       34:16.22

RALLYING:- Former world champion Colin McRae believes he has an excellent chance of regaining his title this season. The 32-year-old Scot feels that the Ford Focus is free of the reliability problems of recent seasons and also has the pace to match his rivals. "This year we look to have the balance right. We have got reliability and an increase in performance," he said. "It is probably going to be the toughest yet, but that will only make it all the better for me if I win it."



13.01.2001

F1:- Formula One newcomer Kimi Raikkonen has insisted that he can make his mark in the sport, despite having driven in only 23 car races. The Finn will race for Sauber this season having never competed in the usual route to grand prix racing - Formula Three or Formula 3000. But Raikkonen, who won the British Formula Renault title last year, said: "I have done only 23 races. But before that I spent 13 years in karts. I will try and score points."

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser won the 12th stage to move back into contention in the standings. Hiroshi Masuoka retained the overall lead despite twice getting stuck in the sand, while Carlos Sousa finished second and is second overall. Jose-Maria Servia had puncture problems and finished fourth. In the motorcycle section, Jordi Arcarons of Spain was first over the line, followed by Italy's Fabrizio Meoni, who stays in front overall.

Result of 580km 12th stage (Nouakchott to Tidjikja)
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  7:01.47
2 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 7:13.46
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 7:15.52
4 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser  7:20.04
5 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 7:20.11

Motorcycles
1 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM        7:11.16
2 F Meoni       It  KTM        7:12.13
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM        7:13.10
4 C Despres     Fr  BMW        7:13.41
5 A Cox         SA  KTM        7:16.19

Overall standings after stage 12 (Sat):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   41:46.55
2 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   41:50.23
3 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   41:55.44
4 J-M Schlesser Sp  Schlesser 42:04.31
5 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser 42:34.18

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       40:09.49
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       40:30.05
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       40:47.57
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       41:09.48
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       41:32.41




14.01.2001 - PARIS-DAKAR RALLY

Hiroshi Masuoka retained the overall lead in the event after winning the 513km 13th stage around Tidjikdja. Double Paris-Dakar winner Jean-Louis Schlesser was second to keep the pressure up in the battle for glory. Finland's Kari Tiainen won the motorcycle section but his team-mate Fabrizio Meoni of Italy is still in the lead overall. Tiainen was more than 25 minutes ahead of second-placed finisher Isidre Esteve Pujol of Spain.

British rider John Deacon lost time on the event leaders after a late crash on the 13th stage cost him dear. Deacon was hoping to make up time on the loop stage in a bid to move up from seventh place in the overall standings of the motorcycle category. But a crash before the finish line in the Mauritanian town of Tidjikja meant that Deacon finished the day 54 minutes behind stage winner Kari Tiainen. Deacon now needs his rivals to stumble if he is to finish in the top five.

Result of 535km 13th stage (around Tidjikja)
Cars                        hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jpn Mitsubishi 6:42.16
2 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  7:02.05
3 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 7:21.09
4 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 7:22.41
5 K Shinozuka   Jpn Mitsubishi 7:37.03

Motorcycles
1 K Tianen      Fin KTM        6:53.31
2 IE Pujol      Sp             7:18.54
3 A Cox         SA  KTM        7:19.23
4 C de Gavardo  Chi            7:21.46
5 F Meoni       It  KTM        7:22.11

Overall standings after stage 13 (Sun):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   48:29.11
2 J-M Schlesser Sp  Schlesser 49:06.36
3 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   49:11.32
4 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   49:18.25
5 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser 50:26.17

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       47:32.00
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       47:53.25
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       48:09.43
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       48:28.42
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       48:52.04




15.01.2001

F1:- Mika Hakkinen returned to work on Monday when he tested his McLaren for the first time since October. Hakkinen, who had not driven since last season's final race in Sepang, clocked the sixth fastest time of 1:23.27. Meanwhile Jean Alesi tested Prost's new Ferrari engined for the first time on Monday at Magny Cours. Alesi completed 56 laps and said the car handled well, adding: "This was an excellent first run of the new car. It felt very good right from the start."

F1 TESTING TIMES (Valencia):-
Monday's leading times:      mins:secs
 1 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows    1:18.29
 2 G Fisichella  It  Benetton  1:19.33
 3 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar    1:19.71
 4 J Montoya     Col Williams  1:19.82
 5 M Gene        Sp  Williams  1:20.51
 6 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren   1:23.27
 7 A Wurz        Aut McLaren   1:24.68
 8 R Schumacher  Ger Williams  1:28.31
 9 L Burti       It  Jaguar    1:32.19
10 J Button      GB  Benetton  1:51.14

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Twice former winner Jean-Louis Schlesser closed the gap on leader Hiroshi Masuoka by winning the 234km 14th stage from Tidjikdja and Tichit. Schlesser came in 24 seconds ahead of Portugal's Carlos Sousa with Masuoka three minutes, 26 seconds further back. Masuoka's partner Pascal Maimon blamed the placing on a puncture, but they still lead overall by 34 minutes. In the motorcycle section, Kari Tiainen registered his second successive stage win, with Briton John Deacon second.

Result of 234km 14th stage (Tidjikja-Tichit)
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  3:02.11
2 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 3:02.35
3 J-P Fontenay  Fr  Mitsubishi 3:03.23
4 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser  3:05.32
5 H Masuoka     Jpn Mitsubishi 3:05.37

Motorcycles
1 K Tianen      Fin KTM        2:53.07
2 J Deacon      GB  BMW        3:07.39
3 G Scala       It  KTM        3:09.39
4 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM        3:11.16
5 J Brucy       Fr  KTM        3:11.27

Overall standings after stage 14 (Mon):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   51:34.48
2 J-M Schlesser Sp  Schlesser 52:08.47
3 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   52:14.07
4 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   52:26.13
5 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser 52:26.17

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       50:44.12
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       51:04.41
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       51:23.06
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       51:44.33
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       52:06.22





17.01.2001

F1:- Eddie Irvine escaped unhurt after his first run in the new Jaguar R2 was brought to a premature end. The Ulsterman careered off the last corner of the Valencia circuit, bouncing across the gravel trap before coming to rest against a tyre wall. The front end of the R2 was badly damaged and the car has been sent back to the factory for repairs. Jaguar now have just one test car remaining at Valencia, in which Irvine will conduct evaluation of the tyres.

RALLYING:- Finland's Jani Paasonen, 25, has earned his first World Rally drive with the Ford Focus team. He will take part in six rounds of the FIA World Championship after winning a glut of titles in his home country. Paasonen debuts in next month's Swedish Rally before competing in Spain, Cyprus, Finland, Italy and Britain. "This marks a significant step up and for the first time I can measure my abilities against the world's best drivers in a similar car," he said.

MONTE CARLO RALLY:- Britain's Richard Burns escaped without injury after crashing head-on into a lorry in Sospel, France, during the recce for the Monte Carlo Rally. Subaru driver Burns collided with the lorry between two stages of the recce as he prepared for the season-opening event on his 30th birthday. The incident deep in the Alps, on treacherous road conditions. Dry roads were expected in the region but instead there were hazardous snow blizzards to contend with.

The chic setting of Monaco kicks off the 2001 World Championship, with a number of drivers aiming to wrest the title from Marcus Gronholm. Round one begins on Thursday with a ceremonial start and the next day's leg, which is the longest, heads to the mountains for six stages. Leg two on Saturday includes a double run over the Sisteron, the longest and toughest stage of the rally. The Col de Turini section will be tackled twice on the Sunday finale.

Richard Burns is determined to put the disappointment of last season behind him by wrapping up the drivers' title in 2001 for Subaru. The Briton has been runner-up for the past two years. He had looked on course for glory in 2000 after building up a 14-point lead but lost out to Marcus Gronholm. "It was a missed opportunity last year," admitted Burns. "We had a great start to the season but a disappointing finish, apart from Britain."

Reading-born Richard Burns will want to fare better in Monaco than last year. His challenge ended on the second day when his car failed to start as the temperature dropped. "I was really gunning for the win last year," stated Burns, who moved from Oxford to Andorra over the winter. "It would have been the perfect start. It is going to be a tough season. Marcus Gronholm will be very strong and there will be the Fords of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz."

Colin McRae won the drivers' crown five years ago and believes he has a good chance of repeating that success this year in his Ford Focus. The 32-year-old's title hopes ended in the penultimate rally in 2000 but McRae feels his team have improved on the reliability of the car. He said: "We look to have got the balance right this year. We have got reliability and we have got an increase in performance so it is looking good."

Colin McRae is chasing a home victory in Monaco. The Scot has a base in Monte Carlo but has never won the event and he admitted: "The stages are quite fast and bumpy in places. And because of the speed it makes them quite tricky. The prospect of snow and ice adds to the problems so it can be a difficult rally. There will be sections in which we have to drive with tyres that are far from ideal."

Marcus Gronholm will be the man to watch after he beat a number of more-fancied drivers to the 2000 title. His rivals will know what to expect now and the Finn's Peugeot boss Corrado Provera admitted: "From the hunters we will become the hunted. The French team took the driver and manufacturer titles last year. As they go for more glory Gronholm will be joined by former SEAT driver Didier Auriol and Gilles Panizzi, who will specialise in the asphalt events.

Ford star Carlos Sainz will be chasing his fourth victory in 11 starts in Monaco after triumphing in 1991, 1995 and in 1998. However, he conceded: "New regulations restrict our choice of tyre patterns to just two, with two more for snow. "Pirelli have been traditionally good in Monte Carlo and I can see no reason why this year should be different." And the Spaniard added: "I am confident that Ford can be competitive straight away on the new rubber."

Skoda will celebrate the centenary of their participation in motor sport by contesting 12 rounds this year. The team hopes to build on their achievements of last year when they scored points in four of eight rounds. In the close season the team has been engaged in a testing programme that has taken drivers and engineers to Sweden, France and Austria. The Octavia WRC car has been thoroughly prepared and the team have secured the services of experienced Bruno Thiry.

Britain's Natalie Barratt will be the only female driver to contest a full programme of events when she takes part in the FIA Teams Cup. The 25-year-old from Cheshire begins at the Swedish Rally in mid-February and will take part in six events, culminating in Australia in November. She has a rally-tuned Mitsubishi built by Yorkshire-based BTR Promotions, one of only two Group N production models. "It's certainly a challenge to compete at the very highest level," she said.

2001 F1 CALENDAR
Jan 18-21    Rally of Monte Carlo
Feb 8-11     Rally of Sweden
Mar 8-11     Rally of Portugal
Mar 22-25    Rally of Catalunya, Spain
May 3-6      Rally of Argentina
May 31-Jun 3 Rally of Cyprus
June 14-17   Acropolis Rally, Greece
July 19-22   Safari Rally, Kenya
Aug 23-26    Rally of Finland
Sep 20-23    Rally of New Zealand
Oct 4-7      Rally of San Remo, Italy
Oct 18-21    Rally of Corsica
Nov 1-4      Rally of Australia
Nov 22-25    Rally of Great Britain

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Hiroshi Masuoka endured a horror day during Wednesday's 214km 16th special stage but just managed to hold onto the overall lead with four stages left. The Japanese Mitusbishi driver suffered from problems with a rear wheel joint and finished almost 38 minutes behind stage winner Carlos Sousa of Portugal. Sousa clocked 2 hours 26 minutes 13 seconds to win the special stage ahead of Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt. Alfie Cox of South Africa won the motorcycle leg on his KTM in 2:30.28.

Result of 214km 16th stage (Nema in Mauritania to Bamako in Mali):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 2:26.13
2 J Kl'schmidt  Ger Mitsubishi 2:29.38
3 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser  2:30.59
4 J-L Schlesser Fr  Schlesser  2:31.58
5 S Henrad      Bel Volkswagen 2:34.22

Motorcycles
1 A Cox         SA  KTM        2:30.28
2 G Sala        It  KTM        2:32.51
3 P-G Lundmark  Swe KTM        2:37.29
4 A Duclos      Fr  KTM        2:40.11
5 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM        2:40.25

Overall standings after stage 16 (Wed):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   60:53.12
2 J-M Schlesser Sp  Schlesser 60:59.40
3 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   61:20.11
4 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   61:24.02
5 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser 62:25.49

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       60:18.04
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       60:39.19
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       60:58.41
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       61:19.48
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       61:27.11





18.01.2001

MONTE CARLO RALLY:- Richard Burns has been given the all-clear to take part following his car crash on Wednesday. Burns, who will be bidding to claim his first drivers' crown in 2001, had complained off a stiff neck after his car collided with a lorry. The incident occurred when Burns was surveying the course route for the first round of the World Championship. He had a precautionary scan and was cleared to take part in the Monaco event by a team doctor.

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Jean-Louis Schlesser won the 17th stage but Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka has retained the overall lead with only three stages left. Schlesser, who is aiming for his third straight win, finished 37 seconds ahead of second-place Masuoka but is nearly six minutes ahead overall. Carlos Sousa's hopes of victory disappeared after he lost two-and-half hours because of gearbox problems. Italian Giovani Sala won the motorcycle section on his KTM.

Motorcycles
1 G Sala        It  KTM        3:38.32
2 C Despres     Fr  BMW        3:44.51
3 K Tianen      Fin KTM        3:46.04
4 J Deacon      GB  BMW        3:46.36
5 F Meoni       It  KTM        3:48.00




19.01.2001

F1:- World champion Michael Schumacher has admitted that soccer makes him more nervous that driving a Formula One car. Schumacher who makes regular appearances in charity matches, told F1 magazine that football is something he has not got right yet. He said: "I am more nervous about playing football than about driving in Formula One. It might sound strange but it's because I can't do it with the same skill, I haven't got the awareness."

Jordan called off their test session at Silverstone after snow began to fall. Jarno Trulli had been due to take over from Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Ricardo Zonta but the team will now test in Barcelona next week.

MONTE CARLO RALLY:- Colin McRae's is on course to end the 33-year wait for a British triumph in the Monte Carlo Rally. The Scot finished the opening day with a lead of over 30 seconds from Finland's Tommi Makinen, who has won the event for the past two years. Fellow Briton Richard Burns was almost 90 seconds adrift in fourth spot. With his Ford Focus showing signs of improved reliability, McRae is well set to emulate Vic Elford, the last Briton to win, way back in 1968.

Colin McRae was not even born when the last Briton, Vic Elford, was victorious all of 33 years ago. But the Scot is refusing to count any chickens either after taking a lead of 30 seconds at the end of the first day. "I am not even thinking about winning - there are still two days to go and anything can happen," said McRae. "Any margin is a good margin but 30 seconds can be taken back so easily if you make a mistake or get the wrong tyre choice."

Finland's Tommi Makinen found it hard going as he ended the opening day of the rally over 30 seconds adrift of Britain's Colin McRae. Makinen, who has won the race for the last two years, said: "That was one of the toughest first days I've known in this rally. But I was disappointed to lose so much time on the final stage. I lost almost 20 seconds on a short stage and I don't really understand how that happened."

Word champion Marcus Gronholm was among a list of top-level retirements during a tough opening day. Gronholm's challenge ended on the second stage after a damaged water pump caused his Peugeot to overheat. "The water temperature went up to 140 degrees. I couldn't do anything about it," said Gronholm. Didier Auriol and Gilles Panizzi also retired, while Marko Martin was the first to be forced out when his Subaru developed electrical problems.

LEADERBOARD after stage 6 of 15
                             hr min sec
 1 C McRae     GB  Ford       1:52.46.1
 2 T Makinen   Fin Mitsubishi    @ 30.6
 3 C Sainz     Sp  Ford          @ 33.9
 4 R Burns     GB  Subaru      @ 1.29.6
 5 A Schwarz   Ger Skoda       @ 1.49.3
 6 F Delecour  Fr  Ford        @ 1.49.5
 7 F Loix      Bel Mitsubishi  @ 2.28.7
 8 A McRae     GB  Hyundai     @ 2.40.0
 9 O Burri     Swi Toyota      @ 2.46.7
10 T G'meister Fin Peugeot     @ 3:06.4

Special stage winners: Gardemeister (SS1), Gassner (SS2), 
Delecour (SS3), McRae (SS4), Makinen (SS5), Sainz (SS6)

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Hiroshi Masuoka took advantage of his rival's misfortune to win stage 18 of the Paris-Dakar race in Senegal and retain the overall lead. Masuoka came in 1 min 37 seconds ahead of Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser after a puncture cost the Frenchman a big lead just after the halfway point. In the motorbike race Cyril Despres of France came in ahead of Giovcani Sala. Italian Fabrizio Meoni still leads. There are only two stages left in the world's most famous rally.

Result of 285km 18th stage (Bakel to Tambacounda in Senegal):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jpn Mitsubishi 2:44.47
2 J-L Schlesser Fra Schlesser    @1.37
3 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser    @3.32
4 J-P Fontenay  Fra Mitsubishi   @4.31
5 G de Mevius   Bel Nissan       @7.08

Motorcycles
1 C Despres     Fr  BMW        2:52.16
2 G Sala        It  KTM          @0.51
3 A Cox         SA  KTM          @4.10
4 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM          @7.46
5 J Brucy       Fr  KTM          @8.56

Overall standings after stage 18 (Fri):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   67:12.46
2 J-M Schlesser Fra Schlesser @   7.28
3 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   @  39.43
4 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser @1:38.58
5 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   @2:51.36

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       67:07.38
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       @ :22.04
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       @ :42.09
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       @1:03.22
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       @1:14.53




20.01.2001

MONTE CARLO RALLY:- Colin McRae hit-out at fans and organisers as the Monte Carlo Rally was again embroiled in controversy. The Scot was annoyed after being forced to slow several times to avoid hitting spectators on the third of five stages. McRae shrugged off the setback to take a slender lead of 3.5 seconds over Tommi Makinen into the final day, but could still pay for losing time. Organisers decided to call off the 10th stage as fears of spectators encroaching on the course grew.

Title hopeful Richard Burns was forced to pull out of the rally before the start of the second day because of an engine problem with his Subaru. The 30-year-old had battled his way up to fourth place after a shaky start which had initially left him in 28th place overall. "This is not the way to start the season," he conceded. "But I am pleased that the new Impreza has shown that it can be competitive straight away."

LEADERBOARD after stage 11 of 15
                             hr min sec
 1 C McRae     GB  Ford       3:13.42.4
 2 T Makinen   Fin Mitsubishi  @    3.5
 3 C Sainz     Sp  Ford        @   55.7
 4 A Schwarz   Ger Skoda       @ 2.12.6
 5 F Delecour  Fr  Ford        @ 2.17.2
 6 A McRae     GB  Hyundai     @ 4.17.1
 7 T G'meister Fin Peugeot     @ 5.21.8
 8 F Loix      Bel Mitsubishi  @ 5.43.1
 9 O Burri     Swi Toyota      @ 7.27.8
10 B Thiry     Bel Skoda       @11.30.7

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Jean-Louis Schlesser of France won Saturday's penultimate stage to regain the overall lead from Hiroshi Masuoka. Schlesser is now set to win the rally for the third successive year after Masuoka lost precious time when he suffered damage to his left rear tyre. Schlesser, who clocked two hours 20 minutes 39 seconds, now leads Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt by over 41 minutes at the top of the overall standings. Giovani Sala, of Italy, won the motorcycle category in 2:28.00.

Result of 217km 19th stage (Tambacounda to Dakar in Senegal):
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J-L Schlesser Fra Schlesser  2:20.39
2 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser  2:26.04
3 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi 2:27.20
4 J K'schmidt   Ger Mitsubishi 2:30.22
5 G de Mevius   Bel Nissan     2:31.02

Motorcycles
1 G Sala        It  KTM        2:28.00
2 C Despres     Fr  BMW        2:30.20
3 J Lewis       US  BMW        2:32.10
4 J Brucy       Fr  KTM        2:32.45
5 K Tianen      Fin KTM        2:33.07

Overall standings after stage 19 (Sat):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 J-M Schlesser Fra Schlesser 69:40.53
2 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   70:22.51
3 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   70:25.46
4 JM Servia     Sp  Schlesser 71:17.48
5 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   72:31.42

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       69:43.49
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       70:08.52
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       70:27.47
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       70:46.05
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       71:02.44




21.01.2001

F1:- Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer was taken to hospital for observation after crashing at the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona on Sunday. His injuries were said not to be serious and he is expected to return home to Italy on Monday.

MONTE CARLO RALLY:- Finland's Tommi Makinen completed a hat-trick of wins on the Rally of Monte Carlo as he finished 60.8 seconds ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz on Sunday. The Mitsubishi driver coasted home to victory after being handed the lead at the end when overnight leader Colin McRae was forced to retire. Francois Delecour was more than a minute further adrift in third. Makinen is seeking to regain the world title from countryman Marcus Gronholm who retired on the opening day.

Tommi Makinen completed the first Rally of Monte Carlo hat-trick for 17 years after leader Colin McRae was forced out on the 12th stage. And afterwards, the Finn said: "I'm sorry for Colin as it would have been nice to have a good fight with him. "The stages were difficult and dangerous and it was important to keep our concentration after he went out. It's a great start to the season and I hope I can continue in the same form in Sweden next month," he added.

Colin McRae's hopes of becoming the first Briton to win in Monaco in 33 years came to an end when he was forced to retire from the event. The Scot, who was the overnight leader, pulled out after the opening stage of the final day. He lost more than 13 minutes on the stage because he had throttle and engine problems with his Ford Focus. McRae, who had to retire last year and was disqualified in 1999, finished the stage but then withdrew.

Colin McRae suffered a repeat of his final day exit last year to hand victory to Tommi Makinen. "It was a problem with the fly-by-wire throttle system and we lost so much time trying to fix it that we had to pull out," he said. "It's a new system on the car but you have to try these things. It is very frustrating to be forced to retire two years in a row but it's only the start of the season and I intend to fight for the title," he added.

Alister McRae and co-driver David Senior claimed an outstanding seventh place to finish in the points on Hyundai's debut in the event. The pair set top ten times on all but one stage and only lost sixth position after a slide on the last leg. "If you'd have asked me at the start if I'd be able to finish seventh, I'd have said it would have been extremely difficult," McRae said afterwards. "But the car has run faultlessly all the way through," he added.

FINAL LEADERBOARD after 15 stages
                             hr min sec
 1 T Makinen   Fin Mitsubishi 4:38.04.3
 2 C Sainz     Sp  Ford        @ 1.00.8
 3 F Delecour  Fr  Ford        @ 2.05.3
 4 A Schwarz   Ger Skoda       @ 2.26.0
 5 T G'meister Fin Peugeot     @ 5.52.1
 6 F Loix      Bel Mitsubishi  @ 6.25.9
 7 A McRae     GB  Hyundai     @ 9.04.0
 8 B Thiry     Bel Skoda       @13.55.0
 9 O Gillet    Swi Mitsubishi  @16.23.9
10 M Stohl     Aut Mitsubishi  @17.50.3

DRIVER STANDINGS
1 T Maikinen     Fin  Mitsubishi  10 pts
2 C Sainz        Sp   Ford         6
3 F Delecour     Fr   Ford         4
4 A Schwarz      Ger  Skoda        3
5 T Gardemeister Fin  Peugeot      2
6 F Loix         Bel  Mitsubishi   1

MANUFACTURER STANDINGS
1 Mitsubishi     13
2 Ford            6
3 Skoda           5
4 Hyundai         2

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- Jutta Kleinschmidt of Germany became the first woman to win the Paris-Dakar rally at the end of the last 25kms timed stage in Dakar on Sunday. The Mitsubishi driver beat Japanese team-mate Hiroshi Masuoka. Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser, the winner in 1999 and last year, finished third after being handed a one-hour penalty for unsporting behaviour. Italian Fabrizio Meoni led a KTM clean sweep of podium places in the motorcycle section.

Jutta Kleinschmidt played down her ground-breaking victory after becoming the first woman to win the event. The modest German praised her rivals and claimed that Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka deserved to win "He was the best driver in this rally, no question about that," she said, paying tribute to Masuoka who led the race for 11 days. She also praised he co-driver Andreas Schulz: "If Andi had not navigated so well we would not be in this position."

British motorcyclist John Deacon completed the 60-mile final stage of the rally on Sunday and equalled his best finish of sixth overall. The 38-year-old Plymouth motorcycle dealer matched his 1999 result after overcoming several problems. Deacon lost most of his time on the second day of the 21-day event but battled back to claim sixth place from BMW team-mate Jimmy Lewis. Lewis' rally ended badly when he broke his collarbone in a crash.

Result of 95km 20th stage
Cars                        hr min sec
1 J-L Schlesser Fra Schlesser    18.42
2 C Sousa       Por Mitsubishi   18.54
3 H Masuoka     Jp  Mitsubishi   18.59
4 J K'schmidt   Ger Mitsubishi   19.15
5 S Henrard     Bel Volkswagen   20.44

Motorcycles
1 K Tianen      Fin KTM          15.48
2 G Sala        It  KTM          15.48
3 E Aubijoux    Fr  KTM          15.51
4 J Deacon      GB  BMW          16.23
5 F Meoni       It  KTM          17.19

Final overall standings (Sun):
Cars                         hr min sec
1 J Kl'schmidt  Ger M'bishi   70:42.06
2 H Masuoka     Jp  M'bishi   70:44.45
3 J-M Schlesser Fra Schlesser 71:05.35
4 C Sousa       Por M'bishi   72:50.36
5 JP Fontenay   Fr  M'bishi   74:36.11

Motorcycles
1 F Meoni       It  KTM       70:01.08
2 J Arcarons    Sp  KTM       70:26.18
3 C de Gavardo  Chi KTM       70:45.19
4 I Pujol       Sp  KTM       71:03.52
5 A Cox         SA  KTM       71:20.17




22.01.2001

F1:- Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer has been released from hospital after crashing at the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona on Sunday. He has been advised to rest for two weeks. Ferrari said the crash was due to a "mechanical failure."

RALLYING:- Ford team chief Malcolm Wilson is confident of Colin McRae's chances for the season despite him being forced out of the Monte Carlo rally. McRae has said recently that he hopes that reliability problems are a thing of the past. Wilson said: "To go out while leading is very hard, and it has a big effect on the whole team. But it was a rare and unexpected failure. Colin's passion and will to win are still there."

Finland's Tommi Makinen has warned Colin McRae and Richard Burns they face a fierce battle if they want to win the World Rally title. Makinen was celebrating winning the Rally of Monte Carlo this weekend after Burns and McRae failed to finish. The Finn said: "It was important to get the victory and the 10 points, my aim is to get a fifth championship. It is going to be very difficult because the competition is much harder but I have started the season well."

PARIS-DAKAR RALLY:- John Deacon took little time to celebrate the end of the rally on Sunday before turning his mind to next year's event. The 38-year-old from Plymouth matched his best overall finish of sixth, set in 1999, before joining celebrations at Lake Rose in Dakar. "It's been a long, hard slog but I'll be straight back to work preparing for another crack," Deacon said. He now faces every day riding and high- impact gym work for 11 more months.

RALLYING:- Northern Ireland rally driver Bertie Fisher and his wife were critically ill in hospital after a helicopter crash which killed their son and daughter. Bertie Fisher won the Irish Rally Championship four times and his son, Mark, won the Peugeot Super 106 Cup in Britain in 1999.




25.01.2001

F1:- Sauber team chairman Peter Sauber has confirmed that their chief designer Sergio Rinland will leave the team before the start of the new season. British designer Gary Anderson, who was replaced at Jaguar in December, and ex-Prost technical director Alan Jenkins have both been linked with the post.

French driver Olivier Panis of the BAR team was faster than world champion Michael Schumacher in pre-season practice at the Catalunya circuit. Panis clocked 1min 20.792sec, the fastest time since four Formula One teams began practice at the circuit. Schumacher drove his Ferrari over 63 laps, producing a best time of 1min 21.392sec, in the team's last practice session before they unveil a new car. Dutchman Jos Verstappen, driving a re- designed Arrows, was third fastest.

Leading testing times (Thu): mins secs
1 O Panis       Fra BAR      1:20.792
2 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:21.392
3 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   1:21.718
4 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:21.897
5 D Manning     GB  BAR      1:22.086
6 M Gene        Spa Williams 1:22.844

F.RENAULT:- Mark McLoughlin has agreed to stay with Formula Renault champions Motaworld Racing for this season where he will partner Carl Breeze and Tom Herridge.

RENAULT CLIO CUP:- Daniel Buxton has joined Tim Sugden's Elf Clio Cup team for 2001. His rival David Gibson will race for his newly-formed family team Elite Motorsport.




26.01.2001

F1:- Jacques Villeneuve has warned that only a top-three finish in the Constructors' Championship will ensure that he stays with BAR. The 1997 World Champion warned BAR Honda managing director Craig Pollock that the team must become big players or he will go elsewhere. He said: "Third place is the minimum acceptable for us to be happy. If we don't it will be a big weight for us, if the team keeps progressing then there is no reason to leave."

Honda have launched their new BAR Honda 003 at a ceremony in London. The car features an advanced RA001E three-litre V10 engine, an evolution of the powerful and reliable unit which helped BAR Honda to fifth spot in 2000. Honda managing director Takefumi Hosaka said: "There were some encouraging results last season but we have to make sure we build on this in 2001. Our target for this year is to have one Honda-powered team in the top three of the constructors' championship."

F1 TESTING (Barcelona):
Leading testing times (Fri):mins secs
1 M Gene        Spa Williams 1:21.206
2 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   1:21.230
3 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:21.897
4 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber   1:21.942
5 D Manning     GB  BAR      1:22.346
6 E Bernoldi    It  Arrows   1:23.581

RALLYING:- Subaru said that Richard Burns and Markko Martin failed to finish the Monte Carlo Rally due to a faulty batch of ignition coils. The team said the problem would not happen again at the Swedish Rally.

Ford have recruited Phil Short as sporting adviser for this season. He will advise the team on strategic decisions and tactics.




27.01.2001 - F1

Team boss Sir Frank Williams has set realistic aims for the 2001 campaign. At the unveiling of Williams' new FW23 car at Silverstone he said: "Our aim is to finish every race. And maybe we could get a win or two if those grey cars and red cars make a mistake. We have two remarkably competitive drivers. I don't suppose they will get on but it is what they do out there on the track that counts. I await our future with interest."

Williams chief Sir Frank Williams has admitted that he expects there to be fierce rivalry between drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralph Schumacher. "There may well be a bit of jealousy and they are both hot-headed characters," revealed Williams. "But I think they are both wise enough to have a professional relationship and that will be sufficient. Personally I like to have two equal drivers because then we have two chances of winning."

Ralf Schumacher has played down his chances of winning his first race after five seasons in Formula One. The Williams driver said: "I am sure that Ferrari and McLaren did not sleep over the winter. Our target is to get closer to the top two and I might be able, with a bit of luck, to win a race. I might have been frustrated about not winning if I had felt I had had a real chance to sit in a car that was able to win races, but I have not."

New Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya has admitted that it was always his target to compete in Formula One. The former Champ Car driver, who has replaced Jenson Button in the team, confirmed: "I always dreamt of Formula One when I was younger. Formula One is the pinnacle for me. I hope to get on the podium but it is very early to say how competitive the new car is going to be." He also said he was in good shape after doubts were raised over his fitness.

Former champion Jacques Villeneuve insists he still has what it takes to beat Michael Schumacher. Asked he was good enough to beat the German, the BAR ace said : "I wouldn't be racing if I didn't believe that. "And I don't think the team would have kept me if they did not believe that," he added at Friday's launch. BAR boss Craig Pollock described his driver line-up of Villeneuve and Olivier Panis as: "probably the best in Formula One today."




28.01.2001 - F1: TESTING (Barcelona)

Sauber drivers Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen led the times in testing on Sunday to show Bridgestone have an advantage in the tyre war. German Heidfeld was more than 2.5 seconds quicker than Eddie Irvine's Jaguar, the best of the Michelin cars. "I was very pleased to set the fastest time and to endorse my feelings for the new car," said Heidfeld, who just pipped his team-mate Raikkonen. "It feels very good and the handling and balance is very satisfactory."

Leading testing times (Sun):mins secs
1 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   1:20.493
2 K Raikkone    Fin Sauber   1:21.190
3 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:23.117
4 JP Montoya    Spa Williams 1:23.523
5 L Burti       Brz Jordan   1:24.503
6 G Mazzacane   Arg Prost    1:25.078





29.01.2001

F1:- Ferrari unveiled their new F2001 Formula One car with a simple aim on Monday - to be world champions for a third season in succession. The new car, revealed to cheering fans at the Fiorano test track, has been adjusted to meet new regulations. These new implementations come into effect on aerodynamics, traction control and electronics. "We want to win the world championship, full stop end of story," said company president Luca di Montezemolo.

DAYTONA 24-HOURS:- Reigning American Le Mans Series champion Allan McNish heads to America this weekend to compete in what is likely to be his only race of the year. The Dumfries ace bids for glory in the Daytona 24-Hour sportscar race before embarking on a hectic year of testing Toyota's new Formula One car. McNish drives a privately-entered Ferrari 333SP, with David Brabham, Ralf Kelleners and Eric van de Poele. "Daytona is my one realistic chance of keeping my racing licence up to date."




31.01.2001

F1:- Enrique Bernoldi will join Jos Verstappen in the Arrows team for 2001. The 22-year-old Brazilian driver will replace Pedro de la Rosa. Team principal Tom Walkinshaw said: "We have a strong, experienced driver in Jos and some young blood with Enrique. It should prove to be an interesting combination. We have been pleased with the maturity shown by Enrique. We would like to thank Pedro and wish him well for the future."

The Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP has succeeded Don Brown as independent non-executive chairman of BAR.

F1 TESTING (Barcelona)
Wednesday times:            mins secs
1 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    1:19.415
2 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:20.089
3 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:20.570
4 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   1:20.604
5 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:20.637
6 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:20.943
7 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:20.976
8 L Burti       Brz Jaguar   1:22.327
9 T Scheckter   SA  Jaguar   1:24.248