July 2001 Motorsport News


01.07.2001

F1: THE FRENCH GP
World champion Michael Schumacher stormed to his 50th Grand Prix victory with brother Ralf taking second place. Schumacher moved within one win of equalling Alain Prost's all-time record of 51 with a superb performance. A 10-second penalty stop for speeding in the pit lane cost David Coulthard dearly and he had to settle for fourth place behind Rubens Barrichello. Eddie Irvine and Jenson Button were both forced to retire though Button was classified in 16th place.

Michael Schumacher was thrilled with the outcome of the race as he scorched to his 50th Grand Prix victory. Schumacher's day could hardly have been better with his brother Ralf finishing second and Ferarri team-mate Rubens Barrichello taking third place. "Our pit stop strategy worked well. My second stop was really good and I was flying," said Schumacher. "It was the perfect result to have 1-2 with Ralf and to have Rubens third. It's obviously a good day for Ferrari."

Michael Schumacher refuses to get carried away by talk of him winning his fourth drivers' championship after he clinched a comfortable victory. The world champion, who stretched his standings lead to 31 points over David Coulthard, said: "We have seen last year how quickly things can change. There are still seven races to go so there is no reason for us to start celebrating anything yet. Until it is mathematically certain we will keep fighting all the way."

Michael Schumacher could match Alain Prost's record number of victories at the British GP in two weeks time. The world champion cruised to the half- century mark with a superb win but was modest about the prospect. "Fifty is a beautiful number. I am delighted to have achieved this victory but people misunderstand my feelings for these statistics," he said. "I have always said they are a second priority compared to the championship but they still mean something to me."

David Coulthard needed no reminding of how costly his stop-go penalty was after he finished in fourth place. The Scot had to sit out the crucial ticking of the clock after being penalised for speeding in the pit lane. "The 10-second stop and go penalty ruined my race but I have to face the consequences of my mistake," he said. "After that I was pushing as much as possible. I was really close to Rubens in the closing stages but was unable to get past."

David Coulthard's is still hoping he can catch Michael Schumacher in the race for the drivers' title. Coulthard's hopes were dented when a stop-go penalty for speeding in the pit lane cost him third place. "I'm not sure if I gained the penalty on the way in or on the way out of the pit lane," said the McLaren driver. "But it was disappointing and cost me dear. It's always feasible that Michael doesn't finish a few races so the championship isn't over yet."

Mika Hakkinen's miserable season continued when he was left rooted to the grid at the start of the parade lap with starting problems. It was the third time this year that Hakkinen has failed to get off the mark and he said: "I tried to start the car but the engine didn't spin. I'm disappointed, but things happen. It just seems that they are happening to me more this season. I now have to start thinking about next season."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis defended his team after a miserable day for both David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen. Coulthard had to settle for fourth place after receiving a 10-second penalty stop while Hakkinen stalled at the start of the parade lap. "Mika's problem was caused by an incorrectly assembled component in the gearbox," said Dennis. "At times like this it's important to remember that through thick and thin we are a team and we all make mistakes."

Ralf Schumacher admitted he was fortunate to finish behind his brother Michael after starting on pole. "I can be happy to get second because I had a problem with the tyres. Even if I had got out in front Michael would have got me," said Schumacher. "Second place is good but of course from pole you hope to win. I expected to beat Michael at the start, which worked, but after a few metres I started having problems with the break balance."

Juan Pablo Montoya was slightly disheartened after retiring while in a good position for a podium finish. Montoya, who briefly held the lead before Michael Schumacher regained it on his way to victory, said: "I think we had a problem with the engine. The lap before it started losing power and then it just died. I am a bit frustrated. Yesterday we sacrificed the performance in qualifying and it paid off as I was running second."

Patrick Head had mixed feelings after Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya had highs and lows of their own. "Obviously a mixture of pleasure for Ralf's second place and disappointment because Juan Pablo retired," said the Williams team's Technical Director. "It would have been nice to have Juan Pablo on the podium as well. There was a problem with Ralf's first stop which messed his race up a bit, but all-in-all again a good result and we are looking forward to Silverstone."

Rubens Barrichello held off the late challenge of David Coulthard to take third place and was happy he had sorted out a few problems. "Qualifying was horrible for me and I never knew what was going on but I sorted out my problems for the race," said the Brazilian. "Then Ross came on the radio and said did I want to try three stops. I said yes and it worked. I thank the team. A couple of times David almost pulled alongside me but I managed to hold on."

Eddie Irvine said he should take some of the blame after his Jaguar was forced to retire after 54 laps. "Again, qualifying below our potential ruined our weekend and on this occasion I shoulder some of the blame for not doing a better job yesterday," he said. "I couldn't have driven a harder race and to have started from 12th and ending up fighting for points proves we are capable of better things. We keep saying it, I know, but we need to make better use of qualifying."

Jenson Button was disappointed after his Benetton went into the gravel two laps from the end of the race and he was forced to retire. "My first stop took a long time, which cost me a place but the car was pretty good in the second stint," said Button. "I had a small spin towards the end because I had a lot of oversteer then I flat-spotted a tyre and had to cope with vibration in the final stint. Finally something locked at the rear of the car and I slid off the road."

Result after 71 laps:        hr min sec
 1 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:33.35.6
 2 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:33.46.0
 3 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:33.52.1
 4 D Coulthard   GB  McLaren  1:33.52.7
 5 J Trulli      It  Jordan    @ 1 lap
 6 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber    @ 1 lap
 7 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber    @ 1 lap
 8 HH Frentzen   Ger Jordan    @ 1 lap
 9 O Panis       Fr  BAR       @ 1 lap
10 L Burti       Brz Prost     @ 1 lap
11 G Fisichella  It  Benetton  @ 1 lap
12 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    @ 2 laps
13 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   @ 2 laps
14 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   @ 2 laps
15 T Marques     Brz Minardi  @ 3 laps
16 J Button      GB  Benetton @ 4 laps
NOT CLASSIFIED (retirements) after lap
   F Alonso      Sp  Minardi     65
   E Irvine      GB  Jaguar      54
   J-P Montoya   Col Williams    52
   E Bernoldi    It  Arrows      17
   J Villeneuve  Can BAR          5
   M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren      0
Fastest lap:
   D Coulthard   GB  McLaren (average speed of 101.130mph)

DRIVER STANDINGS
 1 M Schumacher  Ger  Ferrari   78 pts
 2 D Coulthard   GB   McLaren   47
 3 R Schumacher  Ger  Williams  31
 4 R Barrichello Brz  Ferrari   30
 5 J-P Montoya   Col  Williams  12
 6 M Hakkinen    Fin  McLaren    9
 = N Heidfeld    Ger  Sauber     9
 = J Trulli      It   Jordan     9
 9 J Villeneuve  Can  BAR        7
 = K Raikkonen   Fin  Sauber     7
11 HH Frentzen   Ger  Jordan     6
12 O Panis       Fr   BAR        5
13 E Irvine      GB   Jaguar     4
14 J Alesi       Fr   Prost      3
15 J Verstappen  Ned  Arrows     1
 = G Fisichella  It   Benetton   1
 = P de la Rosa  Sp   Jaguar     1

CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Ferrari      108 pts
2 McLaren       56
3 Williams      43
4 Sauber        16
5 Jordan        15
6 BAR           12
7 Jaguar         5
8 Prost          3
9 Arrows         1
= Benetton       1

BTCC (Donington Park):- James Thompson and Jason Plato turned up the heat on series leader Yvan Muller as they each recorded a first place and a second at Donington. Thompson began the sprint race on pole and survived a safety-car period near the end to come home 1.801 secs ahead of Plato and Muller. Thompson was also on pole for the feature race but Plato took the lead on the second lap and was rarely worried. Plato's fourth win of the championship pegged back Muller's championship lead.

Round 11 results (Sun):      mins secs
 1 J Thompson GB  Vauxhall   33:14.833
 2 J Plato    GB  Vauxhall     @ 1.801
 3 Y Muller   Fr  Vauxhall     @ 2.696
 4 P Bennett  GB  Vauxhall     @ 4.635
 5 D Eaves    GB  Peugeot      @ 9.603
 6 S Soper    GB  Peugeot      @10.625
 7 A Slight   NZ  Peugeot      @13.909
 8 R Moen     Nor Peugeot      @16.337
 9 G Pyper    GB  Alfa Romeo   @17.371
10 M Jackson  GB  Ford         @17.898
Production Class:
1 R Moen     Nor Peugeot     33:31.170
2 G Pyper    GB  Alfa Romeo    @ 1.034
3 M Jackson  GB  Ford          @ 1.561

Round 12 results (Sun):     mins secs
 1 J Plato    GB  Vauxhall  57:45.925
 2 J Thompson GB  Vauxhall  @   1.524
 3 Y Muller   Fr  Vauxhall  @   4.309
 4 D Eaves    GB  Peugeot   @  11.508
 5 S Soper    GB  Peugeot   @  37.243
 6 M Jackson  GB  Ford      @1:18.724
 7 R Moen     Nor Peugeot   @1:21.365
 8 S Graves   GB  Honda     @1:38.359
 9 D Allen    GB  Honda     @  1 lap
10 R Kraemer  GB  Ford      @  1 lap
Production Class:
1 M Jackson  GB  Ford      59:04.649
2 R Moen     Nor Peugeot   @   2.641
3 S Graves   GB  Honda     @  19.635

DRIVER STANDINGS
1 Y Muller     Fr  Vauxhall   164 pts
2 J Plato      GB  Vauxhall   144
3 J Thompson   Swi Vauxhall   143
4 P Bennett    GB  Vauxhall    87
5 S Soper      GB  Peugeot     51
6 D Eaves      GB  Peugeot     48
= K Luby       GB  Lexus       33

BFGOODRICH TIRES PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP
1 J Kaye       GB  Honda      114 pts
2 S Harrison   GB  Peugeot    109
3 R Moen       Nor Peugeot    106
4 M Jackson    GB  Ford        85
5 G Pyper      GB  Alfa Rom    61
6 G Howell     GB  Ford        56

MANUFACTURER STANDINGS
1 Vauxhall              346 pts
2 Peugeot               105

TOURING TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Vauxhall Motorsport   106 pts
2 Team Egg Sport         93
3 Peugeot Sport          20

BFGOODRICH PRODUCTION TEAMS
1 Barwell Motorsport     77
2 GR Motorsport          70
3 HTML                   59
4 GA Janspeed            32
5 Tech-Speed             29
6 Tom Boardman Racing    16

CART (Mid Ohio):- Dario Franchitti of Scotland ran out of fuel after taking the checquered flag on Sunday for his first win since 1999. Franchitti had a tough duel with Memo Gidley but held his nerve to cross the line just 0.305 seconds in front. Franchitti's seventh career CART win came after he started in 14th when qualifying was prematurely ended on Saturday due to rain. Bryan Herta finished third while CART champion Gil de Ferran of Brazil was fourth and Jimmy Vasser fifth.

RENAULT CLIO CUP (Donington Park):- Martin Byford took his first Clio Cup win but it was Paul Rivett and Tim Mullen who grabbed the headlines. Both spun on the first lap and lost ground, but Rivett came through from ninth to third and Mullen from 23rd to sixth to keep his points lead.

Sunday's race results:    mins secs
1 M Byford     Z Speed    22:08.874
2 J Templeman  TCR        22:10.772
3 P Rivett     Rivett     22:13.614
4 D Vercoe     Mardi Gras 22:19.074
5 V Martin     Martin     22:21.158
6 T Mullen     Firstair   22:22.015

F.RENAULT (Donington Park):- Richard Antinucci narrowed the gap to series leader Carl Breeze by muscling his way to the front to win on Sunday. Breeze, who tried endlessly to get past Antinucci, took second ahead of team- mate Mark McLoughlin.

Sunday's race results:   mins secs
1 R Antinucci  Manor     25:21.852
2 C Breeze     Motaworld 25:26.069
3 M McLoughlin Motaworld 25:29.051
4 M Fairuz     Saxon     25:29.632
5 D Watts      Falcon    25:32.414
6 J Andandson  Fortec    25:32.692

F.PALMER AUDI (Mondello Park):- Steve Warburton edged out Gino Ussi by just under three seconds to win Sunday's race. Howard Sponner battled with Ussi for second but dropped down to fifth after a spin. Ben Lewis claimed third place.

Round 5 race result (Sun):mins secs
1 S Warburton               25:35
2 G Ussi                    25:37
3 B Lewis                   25:46
4 R Lofting                 25:47
5 H Spooner                 25:50
6 S Young                   26:02

F.PALMER AUDI (Mondello Park):- Steve Warburton made it a race double when he held off Rob Lofting to take the chequered flag in the second race. His title rival Gino Ussi spun out, allowing Warburton to take the series lead with 120 points to Ussi's 96.

Round 6 race result (Sun):mins secs
1 S Warburton               25:43
2 R Lofting                 25:46
3 S Young                   25:51
4 B Lewis                   25:57
5 N Roddy                   25:59
6 P Warren                  25:59

EUROPEAN TOURING CARS:- Fabrizio Giovanardi leads the European Touring Car championship after rounds 11 and 12 at the Hungaroring. The Alfa Romeo driver won the first race but had to settle for third place behind Roberto Colciago's Audi in the second race of the meeting.




04.07.2001

F1:- Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine looks set to win his battle against injury and race in next week's British Grand Prix. Alarm bells started to ring after a neck problem forced Irvine to pull out of a test session in Monza. It is thought the recurrence was caused by the back-to-back races in Germany and France. Although not 100 per cent, a Jaguar spokesman said: "Since the injury was treated, Irvine has raced in both the French and European Grand Prixs."

Jenson Button should be able to compete with the best next season when Benetton present him with an improved car. Button and Benetton team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella have struggled this year but team boss Patrick Faure says things will improve next season. "We have had a bad start to the year but that has not been their fault. They have not had the best engine or car and I hope we are going to give them a better weapon next season," said Faure.

F1 TESTING (Barcelona):
Testing times (Wed):
1 M Gene          Williams    1:21.804
2 M Webber        Benetton    1:22.212
3 J Button        Benetton    1:22.287

RALLYING:- British Rally Championship organisers have been forced to scrap this year's series after a fifth event was cancelled due to foot-and-mouth. The loss of Yorkshire's Trackrod Rally meant that only two rallies remain. The Kumho Tyres Scottish Rally (September 15-16) and the Jim Clark Memorial Rally (December 7-9) will no longer count towards the series. It is the first time the championship has been cancelled since its inception in 1958.

Despite the cancellation of the British Rally Championship, there will be an abridged Formula Rally Championship this summer. The championship did have two spectator rounds at Wirral and Silverstone despite foot-and-mouth. But the first proper rally of the championship will be the Welsh Rally from August 11-12. The Scottish Rally (Sept 15-16), Kent Rally (Oct 13) and Oxford Rally (Nov 10) are the other events.

BRITISH GT'S (Brands Hatch):- Hayles Racing are looking for a change of fortune as the second half of the season gets under way. The team are hoping that round eight at Brands Hatch will prove the turning point following a series of engine failures and crashes. Tim Harvey and Rob Wilson still hold second place in their Chrysler Viper but are now 18 points adrift of Dave Warnock and Mike Jordan's Lister Storm. They need to rack up their third win of the year to put the pressure back on.

F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Robert Bell was quickest in testing for this weekend's crucial double header with Castle Combe winner Ronnie Bremer second fastest. Championship leader Robert Dahlgren finished in 12th.

Leading testing times (Tue):mins secs
1 R Bell      Mygale Ford    1:31.317
2 R Bremer    Mygale Ford    1:31.513
3 P Long     Van-Diemen Ford 1:31.568
4 H Mutoh    Van-Diemen Ford 1:31.687
5 A Carroll  Van-Diemen Ford 1:31.733
6 R Robinson Van-Diemen Ford 1:31.765

FORD FIESTA’S (Brands Hatch):- Matt Pinny continued his recent run of form when he set the fastest time in testing ahead of Sunday's eighth round. He headed Colin Turkington and Nick Padley while the resurgent Alan Blencowe finished in fourth.

Leading testing times (Tue):mins secs
1 M Pinny        Zetec-S     1:51.809
2 C Turkington   Zetec-S     1:52.001
3 N Padley       Zetec-S     1:52.239
4 A Blencowe     Zetec-S     1:52.654
5 E Murray       Zetec-S     1:52.788




05.07.2001

F1:- Jaguar have made an approach to Jacques Villeneuve about a possible move in 2003, according to Autosport magazine. Villeneuve, who won the world title with Williams in 1997, said at the weekend that he was not looking to leave British American Racing. But Jaguar team boss Bobby Rahal was quoted as saying: "An approach was made by Niki Lauda because he wanted to know exactly what Jacques' position was. We had a 'What are you doing, what is you situation?' chat but that is it."

Alex Yoong experienced his first taste of Formula One power when he completed 20 laps around the twists and turns of the demanding Mugello circuit in Italy. The 24-year-old, from Kuala Lumpur, is testing for European Minardi. Meanwhile, Italian Andrea Piccini, 22, completed two days of intensive testing with the team.

BRITISH F3:- Takuma Sato looks on course to claim the 2001 crown but the Japanese star knows that two poor races at Brands at the weekend could dent his hopes. Sato has a 52-point lead in the series and is tipped to land a Formula One drive next year. But Derek Hayes and Anthony Davidson, who won races last time out at Castle Combe, will have a point to prove. In the scholarship class, Matthew Gilmore has a one-point advantage over Robbie Kerr.




06.07.2001 - F1

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is not expecting the Government to provide the £45m needed to improve Silverstone. But he has said that plans to revamp the venue will go ahead. He said: "We have got enough money to do what we have got to do and if the Government see the way clear to do something they will I am sure. We have raised enough money to do what we want to do. It is a question of if we want to do something better."



07.07.2001

INDY LIGHTS (Kansas City):- Britain's Dan Wheldon finished the opening practice sessions for Sunday's sixth round of the Championship in provisional pole position. He set the fastest lap of 182.351mph (30.008 seconds) in the morning and was also quickest in the afternoon. He admitted: "We are running flat out around this track and we really worked on finding some decent speeds running alone as well as in a tow. It was important to practice some simulated qualifying runs."

BRITISH F3 (Brands Hatch):- Takuma Sato says he is desperate to sew up the title and snuff out any faint hopes his closest rival Anthony Davidson may have of taking the crown. The Japanese driver has won 182 points from the first seven double-headers of the season and leads Davidson by 61 points in the championship standings. "I'm desperate to win every race. I have to concentrate and score the points every time," said Sato. Sato clocked the best time in practice on Friday, with Davidson only third.

BRITISH GT'S (Brands Hatch):- Hayles Racing are looking for a change of fortune as the second half of the season gets under way. The team are hoping that round eight at Brands Hatch will prove the turning point following a series of engine failures and crashes. Tim Harvey and Rob Wilson still hold second place in their Chrysler Viper but are now 18 points adrift of Dave Warnock and Mike Jordan's Lister Storm. They need to rack up their third win of the year to put the pressure back on.

PORSCHE CUP (Brands Hatch):- Team Eurotech drivers Adrian Slater and Peter Chambers could not be separated in qualifying for round seven. The pair recorded exactly the same time but Slater takes pole as he set his marker first.

Leading qualifying times (Sat):
                           min secs
1 A Slater   GT3 Cup       1:35.242
2 P Chambers GT3 Cup       1:35.242
3 C Rapp     GT3 Cup       1:35.494
Class Two:
1 J Wiley    Carrera 993   1:39.814
Class Three
1 I Croft    968CS         1:44.451

F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Patrick Long took his first pole of the season in qualifying for the first of Sunday's two races. Ronnie Bremer, winner of the last race, came second while Championiship leader Robert Dahlgren could only make 13th.

Leading qualifying times (Sat):
                           min secs
1 P Long     Van D-Ford    1:30.289
2 R Bremer   Mygale-Ford   1:30.433
3 J Haylen   Van D-Ford    1:30.594
4 R Goran'sn Van D-Ford    1:30.613
5 G Catt     Van D-Ford    1:30.689
6 R Rudholm  Van D-Ford    1:30.758

FORD FIESTA’S (Brands Hatch):- Colin Turkington will start on pole for Sunday's eighth round. Championship co-leader Nick Padley is also on the front row and fellow co-leader Matt Pinny starts at the back after his times were disallowed.

Leading qualifying times (Sat):
                           min secs
1 C Turk'ton               1:51.071
2 N Padley                 1:51.263
3 A Blencowe               1:51.620
4 J Griffin                1:52.942
5 R Marsh                  1:53.024
6 C Stancombe              1:53.488

DTM:- Bernd Schneider qualified his D2 AMG Mercedes in pole position for Sunday's fifth round of the DTM at Nurnberg's Norisring in a time of 50.246 seconds.




08.07.2001

F1:- Grand Prix legend Sir Jackie Stewart says he thinks championship leader Michael Schumacher go on to become the most successful driver in history. Schumacher needs just two victories to overtake Alain Prost's all time record of 51 wins and Stewart does not doubt he will "rewrite the record books". If the Ferrari ace wins in Britain next weekend Schumacher could break the record in his native Germany. He also has 39 poles but may not be able to beat Ayrton Senna's record 65.

INDY LIGHTS (Kansas City):- Britain's Dan Wheldon starts Sunday's sixth round of the Championship in fourth place on the grid after having earlier been on provisional pole. He was fastest in both practice sessions on Friday but the wet conditions on Saturday meant he missed out on the front row. "The times are so close it should be a very competitive race. I lost some time on the turns and it cost me," he said. "I can still win from the second row, I just need to make it happen," he added.

BRITISH F3 (Brands Hatch):- Championship leader Takuma Sato had a mixed day in the double-header. The 24-year-old Japanese driver qualified on pole in the first race but stalled on the grid and could only finish in ninth. But he had an ideal result in race two, going from fourth to first in the Brabham Straight to take the win. Derek Hayes benefited from Sato's mistake to take his maiden F3 triumph in race one. Jaguar Racing's James Courtney was second.

Race one result (Sun):       mins:secs
 1 D Hayes      GB  Manor    27:53.071
 2 J Courtney   Aus Jaguar     @ 0.656
 3 A Lotterer   Ger Jaguar     @ 1.084
 4 P Edwards    US  A Docking  @ 5.914
 5 A Davidson   GB  Carlin     @ 6.544
 6 M Taylor     GB  Manor      @ 9.580
 7 J Spence     GB  Duma       @11.285
 8 G Bruni      It  Fortec     @11.821
 9 T Sato       Jpn Carlin     @12.141
10 A Priaulx    GB  A Docking  @13.799

Race two result (Sun):       mins secs
 1 T Sato       Jpn Carlin   19:48.659
 2 J Courtney   Aus Jaguar     @ 4.565
 3 M Taylor     GB  Manor      @13.559
 4 P Edwards    US  A Docking  @17.862
 5 B Jouanny    Fr  Prom'ecme  @20.415
 6 D Hayes      GB  Manor      @20.792
 7 A Lotterer   Ger Jaguar     @21.648
 8 A Priaulx    GB  A Docking  @21.966
 9 J Jones      US  Manor      @24.974
10 G Bruni      It  Fortec     @28.490

BRITISH GT'S (Brands Hatch):- Michael Caine and Bobby Verdon-Roe earned an impressive win in the eighth round after six cars went out following a first round crash.

Leading results (Sun):    mins:secs
1 Verdon-Roe/Caine        60:35.836
2 Lister/Liddell          61:34.305
3 Lockie/Welz             61:36.026
4 Short/Barff             61:36.692
5 Franchitti/Burt         61:37.663
6 Stanton/Hyde             36 laps

PORSCHE CUP (Brands Hatch):- Craig Rapp held off challenges from Adrian Slater and Peter Chambers to claim his first Class One victory. In the Class Two race, Kevin Harrison edged out Chris Heeley for top slot.

Leading results (Sun):
Class One
1 C Rapp
2 P Chambers
3 A Slater
Class Two:
1 K Harrison
2 C Heeley
3 R Babikan

F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Patrick Long won a thrilling battle with team-mate Richard Goransson to claim his second win of the year in the first of two races.

Leading results (Sun):     min secs
1 P Long     Van D-Ford   31:31.805
2 R Goran'sn Van D-Ford   31:31.896
3 A vd Merwe Mygale-Ford  31:35.228
4 W Barber   Mygale-Ford  31:39.470
5 R Dahlgren Van D-Ford   31:41.801
6 G Catt     Van D-Ford   31:44.408

F.FORD (Brands Hatch):- Robert Dahlgren earned his first win of the campaign in the day's second race to extend his lead in the Championship. Starting from fifth on the grid, he moved past Alan van der Merwe and stayed clear of him and Patrick Long.

Leading results (Sun):     min secs
1 R Dahlgren Van D-Ford   21:33.297
2 P Long     Van D-Ford   21:33.610
3 A vd Merwe Mygale-Ford  21:33.802
4 W Barber   Mygale-Ford  21:34.196
5 R Rudholm  Van D-Ford   21:34.261
6 G Turk'ton Van D-Ford   21:34.723

FORD FIESTA’S (Brands Hatch):- Nick Padley took a clear lead in the Championship after winning round eight. Padley was involved in a battle with pole-sitter Colin Turkington from the start and the lead continually changed hands before Turkington fell back.

Leading results (Sun):    mins:secs
1 N Padley                18:47.168
2 E Murray                18:47.429
3 A Blencowe              18:48.065
4 M Pinny                 18:49.553
5 C Stancombe             18:52.629
6 C Turkington            18:58.015

NASCAR (Daytona Beach):- Dale Earnhardt Jnr claimed an emotional victory in the Pepsi 400 as NASCAR returned to the track where his father died in February. Earnhardt Jnr led for 119 of the 160 laps in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo to win by one tenth of a second from Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip. It was his first NASCAR Winston Cup victory over the year. Earnhardt said: "I don't know how I did it. I dedicate this win to my father, he was with me."

DTM:- Uwe Alzen held off the challenge of Bernd Schneider to win the fifth round of the DTM at Nurnberg's Norisring.

RALLYING:- Francois Delecour gave his backing to Rallye Deutschland's bid for world championship status by taking part in their first event on Sunday. Delecour and co-driver Daniel Grataloup finished third with Philippe Bugalski easing to victory.




09.07.2001

F1:- Mika Hakkinen goes into Sunday's British Grand Prix dogged by rumours concerning his Formula One future. The ex-champion has had a disappointing campaign and reports in Germany at the weekend had claimed that he would retire at the end of the season. McLaren have denied the stories ` and the claim that the Finn would be replaced by their former test driver Olivier Panis, who is currently at BAR. The Woking-based team have options on Hakkinen and David Coulthard for 2002.

INDY LIGHTS (Kansas Speedway):- Britain's Dan Wheldon landed his third podium finish of the 2001 championship with third place in the sixth round. Wheldon started in fourth place on the grid for the 67-lap race and finished just .212 seconds behind the winner. "I'm happy to have finished in the top three," said Wheldon, who now lies 21 points behind the current series leader, Townsend Bell. But he added: "I'm disappointed not to win but we'll look forward to redeeming ourselves in Toronto next week.




10.07.2001

F1:- Eddie Irvine and David Coulthard have voiced their reservations over the plan to improve overtaking at Silverstone by building a banked curve. The parabolic curve at Club Corner is set to be in use for the 2003 British Grand Prix as part of a ś45m revamp of the circuit. "I do not understand why they are doing it. I do not understand how it is going to improve overtaking," said Irvine. Coulthard added: "I do not think it will make a lot of difference."

Financial giant HSBC have extended their sponsorship of the Jaguar team until the end of the 2004 season.

F1: THE BRITISH GP
Michael Schumacher knows that a win in Sunday's race will give him the chance to rewrite the history books in front of his home fans later this month. The Ferrari star requires only one more victory to equal Alain Prost's all-time record of 51 grand prix triumphs. And if Schumacher reaches that landmark at Silverstone he will have the chance to overhaul Prost at the German Grand Prix on July 29. Schumacher already holds the record for fastest laps, with a total of 43.

Championship leader Michael Schumacher has earned praise from the man whose record he is poised to eclipse ` Frenchman Alain Prost. Thirty-two-year-old Schumacher is one victory away from equalling Prost's total of 51 race wins. But four-time champion Prost insisted: "I feel that he deserves to have this kind of record. You cannot win more than 50 races if you are not any good and Michael is one of the best of all time."

STATISTICS ON MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
* Schumacher needs only one more win to equal the world record of 51 victories set by Alain Prost in 1993.
* Prost's record was achieved in a 199- race career, while Schumacher is set for his 155th grand prix on Sunday.
* Schumacher is 43 points away from beating Prost's record of 798.5 points.
* The late, great Ayrton Senna holds the record for the number of pole positions, with 65. Schumacher's total stands at 39.
* Schumacher has won six races in 2001 - three off the record for a campaign, which he holds with Nigel Mansell.
* Schumacher won nine races in the 1995 and 2000 campaigns and Mansell set that record in 1992.
* If Schumacher claims the title after the next two races it would have taken 12 races out of 17 (after 70.5 per cent of the season).
* Mansell won the crown in 1992 after 11 of the 16 races (68.7 per cent)

Schumacher's grand prix victories:
FOR BENETTON
1992 Belgium
1993 Portugal
1994 Brazil, Pacific, San Marino, Monaco, Canada, France, Hungary and European grands prix.
1995 Brazil, Spain, Monaco, France, Germany, Belgium, European, Pacific and Japan.

FOR FERRARI
1996 Spain, Belgium, Italy.
1997 Monaco, Canada, France, Belgium and Japan.
1998 Argentina, Canada, France, Britain, Hungary, Italy.
1999 San Marino, Monaco.
2000 Australia, Brazil, San Marino, European, Canada, Italy, United States, Japan, Malaysia.
2001 Australia, Malaysia, Spain, Monaco, European, France.

David Coulthard goes into Sunday's race bidding to boost his flagging title hopes with his third successive triumph in his home race. A win would mean the Scot would become the first Briton to to seal three home victories since Jim Clark, who won the race five times in the 1960s. Coulthard said: "Jim died in 1968 and I was not born until 1971 but my father has told me about him. He was obviously a great driver, as his record and two world titles show."

McLaren driver David Coulthard is determined that Michael Schumacher will not equal Alain Prost's race-wins record at Silverstone. Scot Coulthard trails the German by 31 points and he stated: "I need to win the British Grand Prix. I need wins and for Michael not to score any points in a few races. He has got a great record. You cannot take anything away from someone who has won 50 races but I do not want him equalling the record at Silverstone."

Ralf Schumacher will be aiming to overshadow older brother Michael in Williams' home race. The Oxfordshire-based team have emerged as strong challengers to Ferrari in recent races and much of that is down to the form of Schumacher Jnr. "It is always a great atmosphere at Silverstone and I am looking forward to being there as it is the team's home race," he said. "Unfortunately it is very difficult, if not impossible, to overtake there."

Juan Pablo Montoya believes that their Michelin tyres could give Williams an edge over their rivals. He commented: "Silverstone is a bit of a question mark on the tyres but it seems everywhere we go the tyres are working well when it really counts. And we have new parts since the last time we tested there so we should be quite good. I have only raced twice on the grand prix circuit but have also raced on the shorter national circuit."

Double world champion Mika Hakkinen has never won the British Grand Prix - and current form would suggest that he is unlikely to end that wait on Sunday. The McLaren star missed out in 1998 when Michael Schumacher controversially triumphed in the pit-lane. Schumacher was given a late stop-go penalty for overtaking under a yellow flag in the rain-hit race. Hakkinen finished second to the German, whose result that year is his only British win.

Eddie Irvine has virtually written off his chances of a podium finish in front of the British fans. The Jaguar driver confirmed: "A good aero package and balance are the key ingredients here. Although we are making progress in this area I do not think Silverstone will be one of our better tracks. While a podium finish is a very tall order, I intend to race in the same aggressive manner that I have so far this season."

Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine feels that critics of Jenson Button should get his season into perspective. Irvine admitted: "Jenson is struggling big time. I really do not know why. You would have to look at his team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella. Fisichella is a good driver. For me, he is in the top four drivers so it is a much better measure for Jenson than Ralf Schumacher was last year. I rate Fisichella higher than Ralf. People have judged Jenson too early."

Eddie Jordan's team is based yards from the Silverstone circit and he is relishing the chance to make an impression in the 2001 home race. "It always feels good to race on home ground and Silverstone usually has a great atmosphere," admitted Jordan. "Drivers and teams all want to perform well in front of their home crowds and fans and it is great for Jordan to be back on form leading up to the race. We scored points in France but we still have a lot of work to do."

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa is reasonably content with the development of his Jaguar car. "The testing programme is generating positive feedback from the areas that we are looking into," he said. "And I am quite pleased at the pace of our development. It is encouraging to see the steps we are taking forward. The aerodynamic package is the most critical in terms of finding that extra 10th. We are pushing the boundaries to the limits with the resources we have."

Frome-born Jenson Button is still chasing his first points finish of 2001 but is not hopeful of achieving that feat on home soil. Button was fifth at Silverstone for Williams last year but his switch to Benetton has proved to be a struggle. "With the improvement in the engine things are looking better," he claimed. "That does not mean we are going to get into the top 10 but I am sure we are going to be better now and we will be a lot closer to it."

Jenson Button believes he is capable of outdriving team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, despite being second-best to the Italian for much of the season. Button said: "I was a lot closer to Giancarlo in France and hopefully I can outqualify him a few times - and I still think I can beat him. Giancarlo has been able to get a better set-up on the car. He has been with the team a lot longer so when they designed the car I guess he had some input."

Arrows driver Jos Verstappen is looking for better luck in this year's British Grand Prix. He qualified in eighth place in 2000 but was hit by electronic problems during the race. His team had a disappointing time in the last round in France and Verstappen admitted: "We need a good race to lift everyone's spirits. But it will be a tough race because it is a demanding track. We will be giving it everything we have got."

Last year's British Grand Prix turned into a farce for fans but organisers claim that there will not be a repeat. Wet weather turned the car parks into quagmires and the knock-on effect led to many fans missing the race because of longer-than usual traffic jams. Octagon Motorsport now manage the circuit and chief executive Rob Bain said: "We have carried out a huge amount of work over the winter months. We are confident that the car parks will be dry and robust."

David Coulthard describes a lap:- You start a lap of Silverstone with Copse Corner. This is very challenging as it is extremely fast and also it is off-camber at the exit. Just as you manage to catch your breath you are into Maggots ` where you have to be extra careful as this is where you drive past the pit exit. You then go into one of the best complex of corners we have at any grand prix track.

Becketts is an extremely fast right, left, right flick on to the Hangar straight, which is taken flat out in sixth gear. Then it is Stowe, which is a long right-hander and quite challenging. But because of the late nature of the apex you are braking all the way into the corner, flicking down the gears. The worst thing you can get here is understeer as it will affect your lap time a lot in that particular corner.

You then roll out into a very straightforward exit down into Club where you develop a bit of oversteer. Then there is a straightforward acceleration from second to sixth gear out of Club Corner, which has been made easier by traction control. Then you go down the straight to Abbey Corner, which is taken in third gear. It has a very fast entry and is a good place for overtaking. There is a short exit before you flick right.

Then you go up and over the hill into Bridge Corner. Although it is taken flat and people talk about it as being interesting, I have to say that it is not that big a deal for the drivers. Basically, if your car has a lot of front-end grip you take it flat and if you do not, then you lose next to nothing anyway. There is then quite a quick entry into Luffield in fourth gear.

It is quite fun to drift the car out there and it tends to dance around with the back end. You come out of Luffield and then you are on the brakes straight away. You come into Luffield 2 and Woodcote and this section is very low speed for the drivers. It is designed to be one corner and two apexes so it is quite tricky. Following that you have completed a flying lap of Silverstone.

Sunday's race is scheduled to last for 60 laps (191.604 miles). Michael Schumacher holds the lap record at Silverstone with a time of one minute, 24.475 seconds set in 1997 in his Ferrari. Mika Hakkinen clocked the fastest lap time in last year's race with an effort of one minute, 26.217 seconds. Silverstone will be staging its 35th British Grand Prix on Sunday and the only other circuits to have held the event are Brands Hatch and Aintree.

F3000 (Silverstone):- Coca-Cola Nordic Racing driver Justin Wilson goes into his home race on Saturday leading the championship. Ahead of round eight, Wilson said: "I moved into the Silverstone area several weeks ago so this is like a second home to me now. Being British, the grand prix weekend means a great deal to me and it is my main ambition to win in front of the home crowd. I have a good knowledge of the circuit but then so do several other drivers."




13.07.2001

F1: THE BRITISH GP
Mika Hakkinen posted the fastest time in practice following the second of Friday's two sessions. Hakkinen produced a lap of one minute 22.827 seconds to stand ahead of team- mate David Coulthard. Rubens Barrichello was third quickest with fellow Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, who was quickest in first practice, fourth. Eddie Irvine posted the 13th quickest time, while Jenson Button was down in 19th spot.

Mika Hakkinen was delighted with his time as he and David Coulthard dominated practice. "It's good to be fastest and I aim to be in the same place on the grid," the Finn said. "I believe that we have a good set-up for the car and that we have put the things we learnt during the last Silverstone test to good use." Second-placed Coulthard said: "I'm reasonably happy, but you always want to be quicker and have more grip."

Friday's practice times:     mins secs
 1 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:22.827
 2 D Coulthard   GB  McLaren  1:22.894
 3 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:23.578
 4 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:23.619
 5 H-H Frentzen  Ger Jordan   1:23.877
 6 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   1:24.096
 7 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   1:24.116
 8 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:24 222
 9 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:24.343
10 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber   1:24.387
11 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      1:24.436
12 O Panis       Fr  BAR      1:24.562
13 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:24.733
14 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    1:24.832
15 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   1:25.026
16 E Bernoldi    Brz Arrows   1:25.209
17 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:25.267
18 L Burti       Brz Prost    1:25.448
19 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:25.673
20 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi  1:26.695
21 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:26.730
22 T Marques     Brz Minardi  1:27.203

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw expects to announce a new engine deal before the end of the month. Reports have suggested that the team is ready to announce a deal for Ford's Cosworth engines.

F3000 (Silverstone):- Coca-Cola Nordic Racing driver Justin Wilson goes into his home race on Saturday leading the championship. Ahead of round eight, Wilson said: "I moved into the Silverstone area several weeks ago so this is like a second home to me now. "Being British, the grand prix weekend means a great deal to me and it is my main ambition to win in front of the home crowd. I have a good knowledge of the circuit but then so do several other drivers."

Friday's practice session was marred by an accident involving Belgian driver David Saelens which left him with suspected head and neck injuries. The European Minardi driver's car left circuit at Becketts and slid across the grass before the gravel sent it flying into the air. He was shaken by the impact as the car hit the ground and practice was halted for 25 minutes as he was taken away. "The injuries are not thought to be lifethreatening," said a team official.

CART:- Michael Andretti has won the Molson Indy of Toronto a record-breaking six times and will be targeting more glory on Sunday. Andretti has earned a start in all 14 previous Toronto events. He said: "I wish I knew why I am so successful at Toronto because I would definitely try to duplicate it at all of the other tracks we race on." Briton Dario Franchitti, who is third in the standings, will be keen to close the gap on leader Kenny Brack.

F3:- Takuma Sato took pole for the special Formula 3 race being run at Silverstone this weekend to coincide with the British Grand Prix. Andy Priaulx was second on the grid for the non-championship race. Competitors have mainly been selected from the British championship.



14.07.2001

F1: THE BRITISH GP
Michael Schumacher will start in pole position for the first time in a British Grand Prix after qualifying. Mika Hakkinen joins him on the front row of the grid with McLaren team-mate David Coulthard in third place. The Jordan duo of Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen came in fourth and fifth respectively. Eddie Irvine finished down in 15th place after a problem with his car forced him to use Jaguar's spare car while Jenson Button was 18th fastest.

Michael Schumacher revealed a far from straightforward route to pole position after qualifying at Silverstone. The German, who has never been on pole for a British Grand Prix before, recorded a time of 1min 20.447sec to claim the front spot in his Ferrari. He said: "It was difficult because there was only half an hour to go when most people decided to leave the pits. Then the monitors did not work so we did not get any lap times so we did not know if we were faster or slower."

David Coulthard was relatively pleased with third place in qualifying behind Germany's Michael Schumacher. The Scot, who is looking to become the first Briton since Jim Clark to record three home victories, clocked a time of 1min 20.927sec in his McLaren. "I am not too disappointed though I wanted to be higher up on the grid. It could have been worse," said Coulthard. "Front row or pole is always an advantage but we've seen this year that it's not always pole man who wins."

Eddie Irvine was encouraged by his performance in qualifying, despite finishing back in 15th place. The Jaguar driver had to switch to the spare car after a problem with his own during the qualifying session. "We have never been that close to the BMW Williams boys before and I'm encouraged by that," he said. "I feel quite positive about the package we have now and as we've proved in recent races, you can't rule the Jaguars out of points contention."

The Williams team drivers had mixed reactions after the qualifying session. Juan Pablo Montoya was happy at securing eighth place on the grid after damaging his car on the first run which meant he had to use the spare car. "It worked out quite well," said the Colombian driver. But Ralf Schumacher was less content with his 10th position. "The qualifying did not go well for me. I got stuck in traffic on my last run."

Jenson Button was disappointed not to have clocked a quicker time after qualifying in 18th position. Button, who is yet to finish in the points since his switch to Benetton, finished fifth last year in a Williams. "We switched tyre compounds which improved the car considerably but we were unable to put a time together in the end," said Button. He also revealed the team would use launch control system for the first time this season on Sunday.

Final qualifying times:      mins secs
 1 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:20.447
 2 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:20.529
 3 D Coulthard   GB  McLaren  1:20.927
 4 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:20.930
 5 H-H Frentzen  Ger Jordan   1:21.217
 6 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:21.715
 7 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber   1:22.023
 8 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:22.219
 9 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   1:22.223
10 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:22 283
11 O Panis       Fr  BAR      1:22.316
12 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      1:22.916
13 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   1:23.273
14 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    1:23.392
15 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:23.439
16 L Burti       Brz Prost    1:23.735
17 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   1:24.067
18 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:24.123
19 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:24.275
20 E Bernoldi    Brz Arrows   1:24.606
21 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi  1:24.792
NQ T Marques *   Brz Minardi  1:26.506
* Time was outside limit of 1:26.078

F3000 (Silverstone):- Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais scored his maiden F3000 victory but British driver Justin Wilson stretched his overall championship lead by finishing second. Wilson clashed with team-mate Tomas Enge on the fourth lap and Bourdais took advantage to take the lead. Wilson dropped to third but finally overtook Enge after the Czech driver slid off in the rain 15 laps later. Brazil's Antonio Pizzonia was third and Australian Mark Webber, Wilson's main championship rival, came home fourth.

Race result (Sat):            mins sec
 1 S Bourdais    Fr  DAMS    50:56.439
 2 J Wilson      GB  Nordic    @ 0.926
 3 A Pizzonia    GB  Pet'bas   @ 4.342
 4 M Webber      Aus S Nova    @ 7.543
 5 T Enge        Cz  Nordic    @ 8.293
 6 D Manning     GB  Arden     @10.870
 7 R Mauricio    Brz R Bull    @12.549
 8 B Leinders    Bel KTR       @14.080
 9 J Cochet      Fr  Prost     @14.523
10 F Gollin      It  Coloni    @24.324

ALMS:- Johnny Herbert will contest the next round of the American series at Sears Point next Sunday. The 37-year-old will co-drive with ex- Le Mans 24-Hour race winner Andy Wallace in the third round. "I want to contest the remainder of the series with the Champion Audi team," said Monaco-based Herbert. "I've never driven with Andy but his credentials in sportscar racing are exemplary," added the former Formula One driver.

CART:- Reigning champion Gil de Ferran edged out fellow Brazilian Helio Castroneves for pole position in qualifying for Sunday's CART Race in Toronto. Kenny Brack, who is the overall leader in this year's championship race, came in third and breaks up the Brazilian dominance of the front of the grid. Tony Kanaan is in fourth place, with Alex Tagliani alongside Scotland's Dario Franchitti on the row behind. Adrian Fernandez and Paul Tracey line up behind this pair.

INDY LIGHTS:- Britain's Dan Wheldon is seeking another good finish in the seventh round of CART Dayton Indy Lights Championship in Toronto this weekend. The race is being held on Sunday around the 1.755-mile street circuit. Wheldon topped the times during the first practice session with a minute 5.212 second lap, despite problems with the changing conditions of the track. "The track seemed to change so much from the first session to the second, it hurt us," he said.

CATERHAM EUROCUP (Zandvoort):-
Round 5 result:              mins secs
1 S Pullan       GB          22:51.843
2 H Redhouse     Ire            +0.224
3 N Taylor       GB            +10.637
4 F Salhien      Fr            +11.318
5 C Richards     GB            +11.508

Round 6 result:              mins secs
1 H Redhouse     Ire         22:49.721
2 S Pullan       GB             +8.819
3 F Salhien      Fr            +10.117
4 N Taylor       GB            +17.959
5 M Cook         GB            +41.406





15.07.2001

F1: THE BRITISH GP
Mika Hakkinen roared to his first British Grand Prix victory after dominating the race from early on. Michael Schumacher was second with his Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello finishing in third place. David Coulthard's hopes of closing the gap in the drivers' standings took a massive blow when he was forced to retire on lap four. Juan Pablo Montoya came fourth with Eddie Irvine ninth and Jenson Button finishing in 15th place.

Mika Hakkinen was delighted with his maiden victory at Silverstone and his first of a frustrating season. "This feels really good. After all the troubles that have been going on it is good to win it - particularly at Silverstone," said Hakkinen. "We made a great show. I wanted to push really hard right to the end because I wanted to have time for a cup of tea before Michael came in. I hope there will be more wins before the end of the season."

Mika Hakkinen could hardly contain his delight after winning again for the first time since last August. The Finn, who has had to endure a miserable season, said: "I feel really good - it's been too long since I have been on the top step of the podium. I'm happy to claim victory here at Silverstone as it is one of the races I have always wanted to win. Once I had taken the chequered flag, I slowed right down to enjoy the feeling and wave to the spectators."

Mika Hakkinen admitted to wondering when his 19th career victory would come after roaring home to clinch his first British Grand Prix triumph. The two-times world champion, who last won in Belgium almost a year ago, has suffered a season of wretched luck. "It's a fear of every driver who has won a Grand Prix that you are never going to win again," said Hakkinen. "That's why I kept pushing very hard to win again because you know it's a great feeling," added the delighted Finn.

David Coulthard was frustrated after being forced to retire on lap four after colliding with Jarno Trulli on the opening corner of the race. "Two into one doesn't go and he's hit me on the right rear suspension. I really felt it. It knocked me sideways massively," said Coulthard. "I know we will have different opinions on it, but I was slightly ahead so I felt I had the line for the corner. It's very disappointing but I can't change what's happened."

David Coulthard is still not giving up his slender hopes of catching Michael Schumacher in the drivers' standings after retiring on lap four. The Scot was forced out after colliding with Jarno Trulli and said: "The suspension failure going into Priory was because of the accident. It's just one of those incidents which is unfortunate. You get a close call and sometimes drivers come together. But I'm not giving up on the championship. A lot can still happen."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis confessed to having mixed feelings after Mika Hakkinen secured victory for the team with David Coulthard forced to retire. "An afternoon of mixed emotions. Of course we are delighted by Mika's total dominance of our home Grand Prix," said Dennis. "The team contributed with a perfect and well-executed strategy. David's race was effectively over at the first corner following a collision with Trulli."

Michael Schumacher was happy to settle for second place behind Mika Hakkinen for the six points that take him nearer to retaining the drivers' championship. But he was not too overjoyed with his Ferrari as he said: "My car was not the way I liked it. I got sideways at Copse and that's what happened with Mika. I was just glad to keep it on the track, then Mika was beside me and there was nothing I could do." The world champion is now 37 points clear with just six races remaining.

Jarno Trulli put a different slant on his version of the collision with David Coulthard at the start of the race. "He should have taken it more easy at the first corner, particularly when you are on the outside," said Trulli. "I had a very good start and I was next to him by the first corner. I don't know if he didn't see me but he just didn't want to give up. He was on the outside line and he tried to close the door so I couldn't avoid the accident."

Eddie Irvine was fairly content with his performance after finishing ninth behind race winner Mika Hakkinen. "I drove a reasonably good race. I didn't start too well and lost a couple of places into the first corner," said the Irishman. "Without sounding like a stuck record, we have been reminded again of the importance of qualifying better. But my whole race weekend was made more difficult by not testing here at the last test."

Pedro de la Rosa admitted he was hardly inspired after ending the race in 12th position in his Jaguar. "That was a very boring race from my perspective because I had to pit twice when we actually decided to go for a long one-stop strategy," he said. "There was a problem with the fuel rig during delivery and I had no choice but to come back in again. This cost me a lot of time and I was making the numbers up after that. We need to qualify better."

Bobby Rahal was content with Jaguar's performance and the efforts of Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa. "Our weekend went almost exactly how we predicted in terms of race results," said the Chief Executive Officer. "We leave Silverstone encouraged with the new aero package which was tried for the first time. Eddie and Pedro couldn't have done better. They both drove well and unfortunately Pedro's life was made difficult by a fuel rig problem."

Jenson Button once again had to endure frustration before finally finishing the race in 15th spot in his Benetton. "My start wasn't great because I was stuck between two other cars although I gained a few places while the first lap was settling down," said Button. "From lap 10 I had to make do without power steering because the system failed which made it a pretty physical afternoon. The car developed more and more ovesteer as the race wore on."

Giancarlo Fisichella was content with his afternoon after finishing 13th behind race winner Mika Hakkinen. "I made a fantastic start and overtook about five of my rivals," said the Benetton driver. "On the fourth lap I ran wide at Copse Corner when one of the Jaguars squeezed me a little bit. That cost me several places unfortunately. My second pit stop was excellent and enabled me to get ahead of both Jenson and Bernoldi."

Juan Pablo Montoya was content to pick up more points than he bargained for as he finished in fourth place. "It was a pretty good race even though I think we could have finished third," said the Williams driver. "We played a different strategy and it didn't really pay off. The start was pretty good and I didn't know how far forward I could go. After the morning session I was aiming for a point so getting three out of the race is not that bad."

Ralf Schumacher had to endure the misery of retiring after 37 laps while in contention for the points. "I had an excellent start, but in the first corner I had to lift off when David spun and lost a position to Rubens," said Schumacher. "I believe I was right on the one-stop strategy, but unfortunately during the pit stop the fuel nozzle stuck and it cost me several seconds. The suddenly I heard a noise and the engine just stopped."

Williams' Technical Director Patrick Head recognises the need to find some answers on a mixed day for the team in which Juan Pablo Montoya came fourth. "Obviously the race was a lot better than practice position, which was very poor," admitted Head. "But we have got to go away and work out why we were in a weak position relative to McLaren and Ferrari here. From eighth and 10th on the grid a fourth place is probably as good as we might expect."

Result after 60 laps          mins secs
 1 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:25.33.7
 2 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:26.07.4
 3 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:26.33.0
 4 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:26.42.5
 5 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber   @ 1 lap
 6 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   @ 1 lap
 7 H-H Frentzen  Ger Jordan   @ 1 lap
 8 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      @ 1 lap
 9 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   @ 1 lap
10 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   @ 2 laps
11 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    @ 2 laps
12 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   @ 2 laps
13 G Fisichella  It  Benetton @ 2 laps
14 E Bernoldi    Brz Arrows   @ 2 laps
15 J Button      GB  Benetton @ 2 laps
16 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi  @ 3 laps
NOT CLASSIFIED (retirements)  After lap
   R Schumacher  Ger Williams    36
   L Burti       Brz Prost        4
   D Coulthard   GB  McLaren      2
   J Trulli      It  Jordan       0
   O Panis       Fr  BAR          0

Fastest lap: M Hakkinen, 1:23.405secs (137.87mph)

DRIVER STANDINGS
 1 M Schumacher  Ger  Ferrari   84 pts
 2 D Coulthard   GB   McLaren   47
 3 R Barrichello Brz  Ferrari   34
 4 R Schumacher  Ger  Williams  31
 5 M Hakkinen    Fin  McLaren   19
 6 J-P Montoya   Col  Williams  15
 7 N Heidfeld    Ger  Sauber    10
 8 J Trulli      It   Jordan     9
 = K Raikkonen   Fin  Sauber     9
10 J Villeneuve  Can  BAR        7
11 HH Frentzen   Ger  Jordan     6
12 O Panis       Fr   BAR        5
13 E Irvine      GB   Jaguar     4
14 J Alesi       Fr   Prost      3
15 J Verstappen  Ned  Arrows     1
 = G Fisichella  It   Benetton   1
 = P de la Rosa  Sp   Jaguar     1

CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS
1 Ferrari      118 pts
2 McLaren       66
3 Williams      46
4 Sauber        19
5 Jordan        15
6 BAR           12
7 Jaguar         5
8 Prost          3
9 Arrows         1
= Benetton       1

CART:- Michael Andretti captured his seventh career Toronto Indy title to set a Championship Auto Racing Teams record. Andretti overcame a bump at the start with Scott Dixon of New Zealand, which dropped him to the rear, to achieve his record 41st career triumph. "I thought I was finished," Andretti said. "I thought I was going to go a lap down. The pit guys did a tremendous job keeping me on the same lap. " Andretti moved to second in the overall points chase, 11 behind Kenny Brack.

INDY LIGHTS:- Britain's Dan Wheldon will start Sunday's seventh round of the 2001 CART Dayton Indy Lights Championship in Canada from third on the grid. The Englishman was disappointed not to be on the front row at the end of official qualifying, having been fastest in both unofficial sessions. The 23-year-old was just 0.176 of a second behind Townsend Bell. "I made some crucial mistakes during stages where I needed a perfect lap. I drove like a rookie," he said.




16.07.2001

F1:- British Grand Prix winner Mika Hakkinen will make a decision on his future in the next few days, a Mercedes executive has revealed. "It's a decision that he has to make and that we will discuss. He has not given his final word yet," Juergen Hubbert said. "I expect this decision in a few days," he added. Hakkinen came home first at Silverstone in his McLaren-Mercedes - his first GP victory of the season.

The Renault wned Benetton team have been hit by industrial espionage, according to Renault technical director Jean-Jacques His. His claimed a 'theft' of his team's designs by computer hackers 12 months ago had been a major setback. "Someone had got into the system. We did not believe it at first," he said. "Some data from the design of the engine had gone and we had to change direction in certain areas. It was a problem for us."

Eddie Irvine has written off David Coulthard's chances of world title glory after the Scot was forced to retire from Sunday's British GP. Coulthard is now 37 points behind championship leader Michael Schumacher with just six races remaining. "Maybe two or three races ago David was in with a chance, but after this race, definitely not," said Irvine. "Only a freak accident or injury will now surely prevent Schumacher from triumph," he added.

Jacques Villeneuve has apologised to his BAR team-mate Olivier Panis after they collided at the start of the British Grand Prix on Sunday. The incident ended the race for Panis but Villeneuve went on to finish eighth "Olivier was on the outside of me and when he turned I couldn't avoid him so we touched, which put him off," said the Canadian driver. “Things like that happen at the start but it's not good for Olivier or the team so I feel very sorry about that."

SAFARI RALLY:- The eighth round of the championship from July 20-22 in Kenya is one of the most famous and the most spectacular. The longest event on the calendar, this year's course runs 1,129km and will test the drivers' stamina to the limit. The hot, dusty and rutted conditions across the vast Kenyan plains are notoriously unkind to the cars. The Safari Rally is the last of the four gravel events spanning the middle of the season and is the only round to be raced on roads open to other traffic.

British driver Colin McRae is aiming for his fourth rally victory in succession in the Safari Rally. If he succeeds, he will be only the second driver to achieve the feat. McRae co-leads the drivers' standings and a win in Kenya would take him to the top of the all-time standings with 23 world rally victories. But his Ford team-mate and championship rival Carlos Sainz also has 23 victories to his name so a win for the Spaniard would put him on top.

British driver Colin McRae has won the Safari Rally twice before but is aware of the pitfalls of the famous event. "The roads are fast and open but you have to dodge the holes and rocks and look after the car more here. It's probably the only real endurance event left in the championship and it's more a question of survival than out and out speed. We're very confident after our recent run of success but this rally is so unpredictable," he added.

Ford driver Carlos Sainz lies third in the overall standings but the Spaniard has not won a rally since his victory in Cyprus last September. He has since been overshadowed by team- mate Colin McRae but Sainz knows how to tackle the infamous Safari event, having won in 1992. "The temptation is to drive faster and take more risks," he says. "The roads are so rough that there are many places where you must let your head rule your heart and slow down."

Finnish driver Tommi Makinen is joint leader in the title race and has high hopes for this year's Safari Rally. "The Safari has been good to us in the past and I think our new rear suspension will be good here," said Makinen, a past winner in Kenya. "You have to drive a bit differently because the rally is so long but we will have to go fast anyway," he added. The 37-year-old came fourth in the last round in Greece and knows he must drive well to beat form-man Colin McRae.

Last year's winner Richard Burns is looking forward to returning to the scene of his 2000 triumph. "The Safari is a good event for me. I rank it with the Rally of Great Britain as one of the events I'm most comfortable with in the championship. I've had some good results there over the last few years and I don't see why it should be any different this time," added the Subaru driver. "The pre-event testing that I have done has been positive," added the Briton.

FRIDAY 20 JULY: Leg 1
SS1 Oltepese-Olepolos     117.46km
SS2 Kajiado-Oloolotikosh   49.95
SS3 Orien-Isinya          112.52
SS4 Maili Tisa-Olorion     71.83

SATURDAY 21 JULY: Leg 2
SS5 Marigat-Gari Ya Moshi 124.48
SS6 Mbaruk-Elmenteita      84.58
SS7 Nyaru-Kimngorom        72.37
SS8 Marigat-Mogotio        60.23
SS9 Mbaruk-Elmenteita      84.58

SUNDAY 22 JULY: Leg 3
SS10 Oltepesi-Olepolos     117.46km
SS11 Kajiado-Oloolotikosh   49.95
SS12 Orien-Isinya          112.52
SS13 Maili Tisa-Olorion     71.83

INDY LIGHTS:- Britain's Dan Wheldon was on course for another podium finish in the 2001 CART Dayton Indy Lights Championship in Toronto when he suffered a misfire. Wheldon's engine misfired during the 43-lap curtain raiser to the Toronto round of the CART FedEx World Series. Wheldon had qualified his Lola-Buick in third position, only 0.176 seconds behind pole position. He was still third on lap 24 when the misfire happened and eventually had to settle for seventh place.



18.07.2001

F1:- World champion Michael Schumacher has been given the all-clear after further medical examinations following his high-speed crash in testing at Monza. "Further checks that the driver has undergone have ruled out physical injury," said a Ferrari spokesman. The 32-year-old returned to his Swiss home after the crash where he has been treated by his personal trainer. Ferrari says it has not yet decided whether the German will test again before the next Grand Prix in Germany.

British driver David Coulthard had to abandon plans to test at Monza on Wednesday after being laid low by a bout of food poisoning. The McLaren driver had been due to take over from test driver Alexander Wurz but Wurz instead drove for another day. Ralf Schumacher posted the fastest lap in testing ` the German was over half a second ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya. Jordan driver Jarno Trulli narrowly avoided a major collision with the tyre barriers and went on to finish fourth.

F1 TESTING (Monza):-
Wednesday's times:            min secs
 1 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:24.000
 2 J P Montoya   Col Williams 1:24.453
 3 A Wurz        Aut McLaren  1:24.994
 4 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:25.134
 5 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   1:25.357
 6 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:25.364
 7 O Panis       Fr  BAR      1:25.803
 8 R Zonta       Brz Jordan   1:26.089
 9 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:26.273
10 J Button      GB  Minardi  1:26.563
11 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:27.334
12 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi  1:30.927
13 A Yoong       Mal Minardi  1:31.569

BTCC (Knockhill):- The championship reaches its halfway mark this week as it makes its annual trip to Knockhill for rounds 13 and 14 on Sunday. The drivers will encounter a changed circuit this year, with many corners widened to allow more overtaking on a notoriously tight track. In addition, the pit lane has undergone a facelift, allowing fans to see the pit-stop action. However, none of the changes are likely to stop Vauxhall's domination.

Vauxhall could make certain of the manufacturers' title this weekend, and a one-two-three finish in the sprint race would clinch it. However, the fight for the drivers' crown is much tighter, with Yvan Muller leading Jason Plato by 20 points. Plato cannot afford to relax, and he is just a point ahead of James Thompson. Both drivers will be looking to build on their fine form at Donington Park. Thomson won the sprint, and was second to Plato in the feature race.

Thomas Erdos finally gets his chance behind the wheel for the ABG Motorsport team after being a spectator so far this season. He is determined to make an impression after two recent test sessions. "Being with the team from day one and not being able to drive has not affected my vision of the project," the Brazilian commented. "We identified and made some changes on the car during the recent test sessions and I am obviously optimistic."

JS Motorsport will field a familiar face this weekend as 19-year-old Tom Ferrier drives for the outfit for the second time this season. Ferrier turned out in the earlier rounds at Thruxton. The team's manager director John Shields said: "We are all delighted Tom will be racing for us at Knockhill. "He is a very mature driver for his years and certainly has an old head on young shoulders. We are very much looking forward to working with him."

CART (Michigan):- Michael Andretti will be hoping that his remarkable performance in Toronto will inspire him to further glory in Sunday's race. Andretti fought his way up from last to win in Toronto, leaving him second behind Kenny Brack in the overall driver standings. "We've broken the ice with our first win in Toronto and now we're on a roll for a championship," he said. Dario Franchitti was sixth in Toronto and stands fourth overall.

BRITISH GT'S (Donington):- Tim Harvey will be hoping to put his disappointment at Donington earlier this season behind him when Sunday's race takes place. Harvey and driving partner Rob Wilson dominated proceedings until tyre wear saw them being overhauled on the final lap of the race. The last two races have yielded no points and Harvey knows that success is required this weekend. "All we can do now is concentrate on winning," he said.




19.07.2001

F1:- Michael Schumacher says he hopes to be back training soon after his crash in testing on Tuesday, where he walked away from his wrecked car uninjured. He lost control after breaking heavily when testing at Monza and slammed into a guard rail twice at high speed. "The doctors told me to take a break. I trained a bit on Thursday and train properly at the weekend," he said. "I was very lucky because the barrier gave a little, allowing a big reduction in energy," he added.

F1 TESTING (Monza):
Friday's test times:          min secs
 1 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:24.555
 2 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:24.887
 3 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:24.935
 4 R Zonta       Brz Jordan   1:24.990
 5 M Gene        Sp  Williams 1:25.188
 6 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:25.505
 7 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   1:25.523
 8 A Wurz        Aut McLaren  1:25.652
 9 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      1:25.841
10 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:26.289

SAFARI RALLY:- Carlos Sainz became the latest casualty on the opening stage of the second day. The Spaniard started the day in second place but suffered engine failure on the longest stage of the rally. Leader Tommi Makinen now has an even better chance of extending his lead at the top of the world rally championship standings with victory in the event. Francois Delecour also suffered mechanical problems as a broken rear driveshaft lost him six minutes to the Finnish leader.

Leading positions after 6 stages:
                            hr min sec
 1 T Makinen   Fin  M'bishi    4:31.34
 2 H Rovanpera Fin  Peugeot    @  5.49
 3 P Solberg   Nor  Subaru     @  9.18
 4 A Schwarz   Ger  Skoda      @ 15.11
 5 F Delecour  Fr   Ford       @ 18.16
 6 B Thiry     Bel  Skoda      @ 26.05
 7 F Loix      Bel  M'bishi    @ 51.41
 8 G Pozzo     Arg  M'bishi  @ 1:02.29
 9 M Ligato    Arg  M'bishi  @ 1:10.31
10 R Green     Cyp  Subaru   @ 1:28.19

CART:- Michael Andretti says he will not be sad to see the back of the Michigan International Speedway Oval after it hosts its final CART race on Sunday. From next season it will host Indy Racing instead, and the all-time CART victory leader says he is glad he will not have to drive on such a fast track. "We all go in there and hold our breath for the three days, hoping and praying that nobody gets hurt," he said. Andretti was pipped for victory here by Juan Montoya in last year's race.

ALMS (Sears Point):- Johnny Herbert got his first taste of the Sears Point circuit on Thursday as he drove 30 practice laps ahead of his Le Mans series debut at the weekend. The former Formula One driver will race in an Audi R8 sportscar for the Champion Racing team, partnering fellow Briton Andy Wallace. "You must be on the edge of your seat to see over the brows," said Herbert. "The track has a nice flow, it reminds me of Oulton Park. Sears has a nice mix of high and medium speed corners."

SWANSEA BAY FESTIVAL RALLY:- The ANCRO National Rally Championship gets back on the road after a five-month interruption caused by the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The first event in the series was the Sunseeker Rally in February. Bridgend's Leon Pesticcio won the first stage and starts as favourite. He and co-driver Howard Davies are sure to receive local support. The event also sees the resumption of the Mitsubishi Ralliart UK Evolution Challenge and the Super 106 Cup.

F3 (Donington Park):- Takuma Sato returns to the scene of his first win of the year holding a clear lead in the championship. The Japanese rider has benefitted from the decision to re-instate his result of the first race at Croft in May from which he was originally disqualified. His successful appeal gained an extra 10 points for finishing fourth and has 216 points compared to his main title rival Derek Hayes, who has 156. There are still six double-header meetings to run though.

BRITISH GT'S (Donington Park):- Tim Harvey will be hoping to put his disappointment at Donington earlier this season behind him when Sunday's race takes place. Harvey and driving partner Rob Wilson dominated proceedings until tyre wear saw them being overhauled on the final lap of the race. The last two races have yielded no points and Harvey knows that success is required this weekend. "All we can do now is concentrate on winning," he said.

F.FORD (Donington):- Gary Turkington set the fastest time in testing ahead of Sunday's ninth round of the Slick 50 Zetec series. The Northern Ireland driver finished ahead of early season pace-setter Richard Goransson of Sweden, Robin Rudholm and Patrick Long.

Thursday testing times:
1 G Turkington    VD RF01     1:39.072
2 R Goransson     VD RF01     1:39.094
3 R Rudholm       VD RF01     1:39.165
4 P Long          VD RF01     1:39.339
5 J Heylen        VD RF01     1:39.462
6 R Bremer        Mygale      1:39.543


FORD FIESTA’S(Donington Park):- Matt Pinney set a scorching pace to head the Ford Fiesta testing times ahead of Sunday's ninth round. Vicki Butler-henderson headed the trio of TV presenters taking part in the race which is raising funds for the Macmillan cancer charity.

Thursday testing times:
1 M Pinney          2:02.525
2 N Padley          2:03.364
3 A Blencowe        2:03.421
4 E Murray          2:03.804
5 C Turkington      2:03.841
6 C Stancombe       2:04.043

F.RENAULT (Knockhill):- Points leader Carl Breeze head testing for Sunday's crucial round. With teammates Mark McLoughlin and Tom Sisley also going quickly, arch rival Richard Antinucci has a tough job to keep Breeze in his sights.

Testing times (Fri):             secs
1 C Breeze     GB  Motaworld    50.197
2 M McLoughlin GB  Motaworld    50.275
3 J Andanson   Fr  Fortec       50.312
4 R Antinucci  US  Manor        50.496
5 H Kovalainen Fin Fortec       50.499
6 T Sisley     GB  Motaworld    50.532


F3000 (Spa):-

Leading testing times (Fri):  mins secs
 1 J Wilson     Nordic Racing  2:29.476
 2 M Webber     Super Nova     2:29.907
 3 J Cochet     Prost Jnr Team 2:29.941
 4 A Pizzonia   Petrobas       2:29.970
 5 P Fr'sacher  Red Bull Jnr   2:30.013
 6 D Hill       DAMS           2:30.183
 7 D Manning    Arden Team     2:30.351
 8 S Bourdals   DAMS           2:30.656
 9 G Lancieri   Durango        2:30.969
10 R Sperafico  Coloni F3000   2:30.990

CLIO CUP (Knockhill):- Daniel Buxton recorded the fastest time in testing for Sunday's event, coming home quicker than points leader Tim Mullen who finished second. Drummond Low from Selkirk, competing in his first season of racing, was an impressive seventh fastest.

Leading testing times (Fri):    secs
1 D Buxton       TSM           58.477
2 T Mullen       Firstair      58.573
3 A Lyall        Tracsport     58.683
4 J Templeman    TCR           58.705
5 M Byford       Z-Speed       58.839

RALLYING:- The Jim Clark Memorial Rally has been switched to November 2 and 3 having previously been moved to December from its earlier place on the calender.




21.07.2001

BTCC (Knockhill):- Jason Plato maintained his mid-season push for the title after taking a pole- position double for Sunday's races. The track was drying out throughout qualifying, and Plato completed seven more laps than any of his rivals, his best time being 55.437 seconds. Championship leader Yvan Muller will be beside Plato for both rounds 13 and 14. "This is very important," Plato said. "The track conditions were constantly changing but I just stayed out there getting the feel of the track."

Round 13 Grid Positions:     mins secs
1 J Plato     GB  Vauxhall      55.449
2 Y Muller    Fr  Vauxhall     @ 0.336
3 J Thompson  GB  Vauxhall     @ 0.349
4 P Bennett   GB  Vauxhall     @ 0.354
5 T Erdos     Brz Lexus        @ 0.595
6 S Soper     GB  Peugeot      @ 0.738
7 T Ferrier   GB  Alfa Rom     @ 2.144
8 D Eaves     GB  Peugeot   @ 4:21.834

Round 14 Grid Positions:        secs
1 J Plato     GB  Vauxhall     55.437
2 Y Muller    Fr  Vauxhall    @ 0.199
3 J Thompson  GB  Vauxhall    @ 0.209
4 P Bennett   GB  Vauxhall    @ 0.425
5 T Erdos     Brz Lexus       @ 0.678
6 S Soper     GB  Peugeot     @ 0.751
7 T Ferrier   GB  Alfa Rom    @ 2.203
8 D Eaves     GB  Peugeot     @ 8.034

SAFARI RALLY:- Tommi Makinen is heading for his 23rd World Rally victory as he continued to dominate at the end of the second day. The Finn will go into the final day over six minutes ahead of Harri Rovanpera despite having to cope with prop shaft problems. Norwegian Petter Solberg retained his third place. Carlos Sainz, who started the day in second place, suffered engine failure on the opening stage of day two to become the latest casualty.

Leading positions after 9 stages
(end of second leg):         hr min sec
 1 T Makinen   Fin  M'bishi    6:27.06
 2 H Rovanpera Fin  Peugeot   @   6.14
 3 P Solberg   Nor  Subaru    @  10.24
 4 A Schwarz   Ger  Skoda     @  17.08
 5 F Delecour  Fr   Ford      @  22.09
 6 B Thiry     Bel  Skoda     @  36.31
 7 F Loix      Bel  M'bishi   @1:01.01
 8 G Pozzo     Arg  M'bishi   @1:30.10
 9 M Ligato    Arg  M'bishi   @1:31.32
10 R Green     Cyp  Subaru    @2:09.01

CART (Michigan):- Qualifying for Sunday's CART event was cancelled after heavy showers washed out any racing. The starting grid for Sunday's race was based on the practice times from the Saturday morning session. Points leader Kenny Brack of Sweden was awarded pole with Max Papis alongside him on the front row. "To me I don't care what way they do it, no matter what way they did, even if it's based on points, we'd be in front," Brack said.

SWANSEA BAY FESTIVAL RALLY:- Mike Brown claimed a memorable victory after an action-packed day. Pre-event favourites Marcus Dodd and John Bennie crashed out of the event on the opening stage to offer hope to the rest of the field. The challenge was taken up by Steve Petch and at one stage he led by a margin of nine seconds. But Petch was slowed by a misfire and Brown was able to claim a home win for his Port Talbot MC crew. David Mann came second with Petch third.

BRITISH GT'S (Donington Park):- Mike Jordan and David Warnock claimed pole position for the ninth round race on Sunday. Jordan's fastest times was almost a second faster than the Chrysler Viper of Tim Harvey and Rob Wilson with Bobby Verdon-Roe and Michael Caine third. In the GTO category, the Porsche 911GT3RS of Ed Horner and Matt Turner stayed on pole. The pair crashed out of the second session but the team will work into the night to repair the damage.

Qualifying times (Sat):       min secs
1 Jordan/Warnock  Lister      1:32.423
2 Harvey/Wilson   Chrysler    1:33.340
3 V-Roe/Caine     TVR         1:34.077
4 Cunningham/Cook Porsche     1:35.782
Qualifying times (Sat): GTO
1 Horner/Turner   Porsche     1:36.097
2 Short/Barff     TVR         1:36.297
3 Franchitti/Burt Porsche     1:36.504
4 Sumpter/Balfe   Porsche     1:37.216

F.FORD (Donington Park):- Richard Goransson continued his impressive form at the circuit by claiming pole for Sunday's ninth round. Brands Hatch winner Patrick Long was second while Adam Carroll came fourth. Championship leader Robert Dahlgren came home in 12th.

Saturday qualifying times:
1 R Goransson     VD RF01     1:38.345
2 P Long          VD RF01     1:39.123
3 A Danielsson    Vector      1:39.219
4 A Carroll       VD RF01     1:39.220
5 G Turkington    VD RF01     1:39.224
6 R Bremer        Mygale      1:39.421

EURO F.FORD (Donington Park):- Richard Goransson claimed pole for Sunday's opening race in the three-event series. The Swede was a dominant eighth-tenths of a second ahead of Japan's Hideki Mutoh, his best qualifying position in Formula Ford.

Qualifying times (Sat):       min secs
1 R Goransson     Van Diemen  1:38.353
2 H Mutoh         Van Diemen  1:39.154
3 P Long          Van Diemen  1:39.263
4 S Kane          Mygale      1:39.316
5 R Scott         Van Diemen  1:39.334
6 W Barber        Mygale      1:39.390


FORD FIESTA’S (Donington Park):- Eoin Murray took his first pole position with an incredible lap in the last minute of qualifying. Vicki Butler Henderson heads the trio of female television presenters racing in Sunday's ninth round to raise money for charity.

Saturday qualifying times:
1 E Murray                   2:03.166
2 C Turkington               2:03.225
3 M Pinny                    2:03.282
4 N Padley                   2:03.920
5 A Blencowe                 2:04.522
6 C Stancombe                2:04.527

F.RENAULT (Knockhill):- James Andanson and Andrew Thompson benefitted from a late decision to switch to slick tyres on a drying track to top qualifying. Championship lead Carl Breeze ended up in ninth place.

Qualifying times (Sat):          secs
1 J Andanson   Fr  Fortec       52.264
2 C Breeze     GB  Motaworld    52.627
3 R Antinucci  US  Manor        52.796
4 D Watts      GB  Falcon       52.906
5 M McLoughlin GB  Motaworld    52.912
6 H Kovalainen Fin Fortec       52.923

F3000 (Spa):-

Leading testing times (Sat):  mins secs
 1 P Friesacher Red Bull Jnr   2:06.765
 2 B Leinders   KTR            2:08.346
 3 M Webber     Super Nova     2:08.358
 4 D Manning    Arden Team     2:08.351
 5 A Pizzonia   Petrobas       2:08.396
 6 S Bourdais   DAMS           2:08.841
 7 J Wilson     Nordic Racing  2:08.667
 8 R Sperafico  Coloni F3000   2:08.790
 9 J V Hooydonk Coloni F3000   2:08.811
10 R Sperafico  Petrobas       2:08.849

CLIO CUP (Knockhill):- Paul Rivett took pole position in dramatic fashion. Rivett set the fastest time with the very last lap while just over a second covered the top 20 times.

Qualifying times (Sat):         secs
1 P Rivett       Rivett        58.324
2 J Templeman    TCR           58.473
3 D Buxton       TSM           58.498
4 T Mullen       Firstair      58.503
5 D Vercoe       Mardi Gras    58.651
6 M Byford       Z-Speed       58.705


AUTOBYTEL LOTUS (Knockhill):- Championship leader Mark Fullalove took pole position by less than one tenth of a second in one of the most intense qualifying sessions of the season. Spencer Marsh claimed second while Mark Cole finished in third.

Qualifying times (Sat):         secs
1 M Fullalove                  55.397
2 S Marsh                      55.480
3 M Cole                       55.697
4 H Breese                     55.758
5 J Tee                        55.832
6 S Thornburn                  56.168

PORSCHE CUP (Donington Park):- Nigel Rice held off Peter Chambers to win a dramatic sprint race. With championship contender Adrian Slater eliminated in the first lap accident, Rice and Chambers dominated the race with Barbara Armstrong third.

Sprint Race result:
1 N Rice
2 P Chambers
3 B Armstrong
4 C Rapp
Class leaders:
A Shelley
I Croft





22.07.2001

BTCC (Knockhill):- Jason Plato took over as championship leader from Yvan Muller by finishing ahead of him in rounds 13 and 14. Starting from pole position in the 20-lap event sprint, Plato was passed by Muller on the first lap but regained his advantage four laps later. Although he pushed hard to catch the production class cars, Plato could only claim second overall behind winner Simon Graves. But he went one better in the next round, when Muller pulled out.

Round 13 sprint race results:mins secs
 1 S Graves    GB  Honda     19:30.059
 2 J Plato     GB  Vauxhall   @  1.208
 3 G Shedden   GB  Ford       @  1.267
 4 Y Muller    Fr  Vauxhall   @  1.762
 5 S Harrison  GB  Peugeot    @  5.366
 6 J Kaye      GB  Honda      @  5.629
 7 J Thompson  GB  Vauxhall   @  7.878
 8 T Erdos     Brz Lexus      @  9.599
 9 P Bennett   GB  Vauxhall   @ 14.641
10 R Collard   GB  Renault    @ 23.934

Round 14 result:            mins secs
1 J Plato     GB  Vauxhall  48.06.648
2 P Bennett   GB  Vauxhall   @  6.558
3 J Thompson  GB  Vauxhall   @ 30.343
4 S Soper     GB  Peugeot    @ 41.491
5 G Shedden   GB  Ford       @  1 lap
6 J Kaye      GB  Honda      @  1 lap
7 S Harrison  GB  Peugeot    @  1 lap
8 R Collard   GB  Renault    @  1 lap

DRIVER STANDINGS
1 J Plato      GB  Vauxhall   179 pts
2 Y Muller     Fr  Vauxhall   176
3 J Thompson   Swi Vauxhall   163
4 P Bennett    GB  Vauxhall   106
5 S Soper      GB  Peugeot     61
6 D Eaves      GB  Peugeot     48

BFGOODRICH TIRES PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP
1 J Kaye       GB  Honda      134 pts
2 S Harrison   GB  Peugeot    131
3 R Moen       Nor Peugeot    111
4 M Jackson    GB  Ford        85
5 G Pyper      GB  Alfa Rom    66
6 G Howell     GB  Ford        56

MANUFACTURER STANDINGS
1 Vauxhall              484 pts
2 Peugeot               143

TOURING TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Vauxhall Motorsport   131 pts
2 Team Egg Sport        105
3 Peugeot Sport          34

BFGOODRICH PRODUCTION TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
1 GR Motorsport          96 pts
2 Barwell Motorsport     87
3 HTML                   71
4 Tech-Speed             34
5 GA Janspeed            32
6 TCR/Interactive Net    19

SAFARI RALLY:- Tommi Makinen completed a comfortable victory to take an outright lead in the world rally championship. The former world champion was quickest on two of the final day's three stages to end more than eight minutes ahead of Finnish compatriot Harri Rovanpera. Makinen now leads Britain's Colin McRae, who retired on the first stage, by 10 points in the drivers standings. The final day of the rally was disrupted by fog early on which forced the cancellation of the 11th stage.

Tommi Makinen was naturally delighted after claiming a victory which put him top of the championship standings, ahead of Colin McRae. "I am very happy with the way things have gone in this rally, this is the perfect result," he said. "We had some problems at times but the car has been very good to drive. There was no need to push because of the time we had in hand but we were still quick. It is good to have 10 points and to lead the championship."

Final standings:            hr min sec
 1 T Makinen   Fin  M'bishi    8:58.37
 2 H Rovanpera Fin  Peugeot    9:11.14
 3 A Schwarz   Ger  Skoda      9:16.12
 4 F Delecour  Fr   Ford       9:19.13
 5 F Loix      Bel  M'bishi   10:42.39
 6 G Pozzo     Arg  M'bishi   11:06.03
 7 M Ligato    Arg  M'bishi   11:06.27
 8 R Green     Cyp  Subaru    11:54.33
 9 A Anwar     Ken  M'bishi   12:11.40
10 R Stohl     Aut  M'bishi   13:40.00

DRIVER STANDINGS
1 T Makinen      Fin  Mitsubishi 40pts
2 C McRae        GB   Ford       30
3 C Sainz        Sp   Ford       26
4 H Rovanpera    Fin  Peugeot    20
5 R Burns        GB   Subaru     15
6 F Delecour     Fr   Ford       14

MANUFACTURER STANDINGS
1 Mitsubishi     64pts
2 Ford           60
3 Subaru         28
4 Peugeot        26
5 Skoda          15
6 Hyundai        10

CART (Michigan - Harrah's 500)

Starting line-up:
 1 K Brack      Swe Ford     229.812mph
 2 M Papis      It  Ford     228.695
 3 T Takagi     Jpn Toyota   227.913
 4 P Tracy      Can Honda    227.783
 5 T Kanaan     Brz Honda    227.661
 6 M Jourdain   Mex Ford     227.301
 7 B Herta      US  Ford     226.943
 8 S Nakano     Jpn Honda    226.757
 9 C Fittipaldi Mex Ford     226.657
10 M Gugelmin   Brz Toyota   226.529
25 D Franchitti GB  Honda    220.453

F3 (Donington Park):- Japanese star Takuma Sato recovered from first race nightmare to extend his lead at the top of the championship. Sato had started from pole position in race one and while battling for the lead with Anthony Davidson, suffered tyre damage which led to a puncture. Gianmaria Bruni claimed the race one win despite a valiant challenge from Jaguar Racing driver Andre Lotterer. Sato got revenge in the second race, pulling away from pole to record win number eight this season.

BRITISH GT'S (Donington Park):- Mike Jordan and David Warnock scored another victory in round nine of the Championship at Donington. Their Lister Storm was ahead when the race was halted early after an accident to Marcos Manis of Shane Bland. In GTO, Martin Short and Rob Barff were leading when the race was halted. But the Porsche of Kelvin Burt and Marino Franchitti looked set to challenge over the last 15 minutes that remained in the race.

Result (GT Category):         min secs
1 Jordan/Warnock  Lister     43:35.844
2 V-Roe/Caine     TVR        43:49.064
3 Harvey/Wilson   Chrysler   44:01.734
4 Schirle/Stokoe  Porsche     26 laps
Result (GTO Category):
1 Short/Barff     TVR        46:00.065
2 Franchitti/Burt Porsche    46:01.053
3 Horner/Turner   Porsche     26 laps
4 Sumpter/Balfe   Porsche     26 laps

F.FORD (Donington Park):- Richard Goransson re-discovered his early season form to secure a lights to flag win in round nine of the series. Patrick Long was second ahead of Gary Turkington in third while championship leader Robert Dahlgren, who was 12th on the grid, came fourth.

Sunday results:              mins secs
1 R Goransson   Van Diemen   28:56.251
2 P Long        Van Diemen   29:05.532
3 G Turkington  Van Diemen   29:06.600
4 R Dahlgren    Van Diemen   29:09.344
5 R Rudholm     Van Diemen   29:10.643
6 R Sharp       Mygale       29:11.174

EURO F.FORD (Donington Park):- Richard Goransson made it two out of two as he claimed an impressive win in the opening event of the tour. American Patrick Long claimed second ahead of sensational performances from Hideki Mutoh in third and Stephen Kane in fourth.

Final results (Sun):          min secs
1 R Goransson  Van Diemen    19:56.876
2 P Long       Van Diemen    20:04.339
3 H Mutoh      Van Diemen    20:06.842
4 S Kane       Mygale        20:10.026
5 R Dahlgren   Van Diemen    20:11.353
6 W Barber     Mygale        20:13.623

FORD FIESTA’S (Donington Park):- Colin Turkington claimed his first victory since the series last visited this track last April. Vicki Butler-Henderson won her battle of the female television presenters who raced to raise money for charity.

Sunday results:              mins secs
1 C Turkington               20:53.113
2 N Padley                   20:53.345
3 M Pinny                    20:56.645
4 E Murray                   20:57.292
5 C Stancombe                21:01.996
6 A Blencowe                 21:02.352

AUTOBYTEL LOTUS (Knockhill):- Spencer Marsh put in a superb drive to claim his debut championship victory. Points leader Mark Fullalove led from pole but overtook on the next and stretched his lead over the next 14 laps to win by four seconds.

Result (Sun):               mins secs
1 S Marsh                   25:23.891
2 M Fullalove               25:28.154
3 M Cole                    25:29.692
4 H Breese                  25:31.420
5 J Tee                     25:33.053
6 M Bett                    25:37.468

CATERHAM CHALLENGE (Snetterton):-

Superlight round six result (Sun):
                             mins secs
1 C Cooper       GB          30:12.919
2 J Gladman      GB            @ 0.030
3 P Mangion      GB            @ 4.238
4 G Taylor       GB            @ 4.462
5 P Gladman      GB            @ 6.122

Roadsport round six result (Sun):
1 M Gregory      GB          30:59.508
2 J Sutherland   GB            @ 0.010
3 K Robinson     GB            @ 3.907
4 B Horne        GB            @ 4.285
5 L Paillard     Fr            @ 4.660

PORSCHE CUP (Donington Park):- Nigel Rice made it a double victory for the weekend. Rice fended off Peter Chambers to win while Barbara Armstrong took a fine third. Andrew Shelley survived a clash with Kevin Harrison to win class two.

Feature race result:       mins secs
1 N Rice                    20:33.020
2 P Chambers                20:34.109
3 B Armstrong               20:49.606
4 B Demeroutis              20:01.350
Class two
1 A Shelley                 21:43.648
2 G Hellier                 21:49.263
3 R Babikan                 21:50.489




23.07.2001

F1:- The German Grand Prix will remain at Hockenheim for the next seven years and the circuit will undergo a £30m refit. A deal confirming the right of the circuit to host the race until 2008 will be signed at this weekend's German Grand Prix. The extension to the current deal was conditional on modernisation work taking place at the track. The bulk of the money will be spent on reducing the track's length from 6.823km to 4.5km.

BTCC (Knockhill):- Jason Plato has been boosted by a reassurance from his Vauxhall team that all three drivers are free to battle it out for the championship title. The Oxford driver has the freedom to race team-mates Yvan Muller and James Thompson with the manufacturers title already in the bag. "I desperately want to win it this year," he said. "I've been playing catch-up while Yvan was out in front but now I'm back in front and I'm well chuffed."

RALLYING:- Harri Rovanpera's second-place finish in the Safari Rally has been confirmed after the event stewards rejected a protest by Ford. Ford claimed that the Finn re-entered a time control area at the end of the third stage on Friday and they used in- car footage to highlight their case. But the stewards decided that Rovanpera had not infringed the rules. Peugeot driver Rovanpera finished more than eight minutes behind winner Tommi Makinen's Mitsubishi.

CART:- Patrick Carpentier won a close final-lap contest to claim the first CART triumph of his career. Carpentier was able to outgun Dario Franchitti and Michel Jourdain to claim victory by just .243 of a second. "Dario was very strong and it has been tough. It is a great felling to win this event," Carpentier said. Carpentier was helped when Kenny Brack and Max Papis took each other out in a crash just 23 laps from the end. Cristiano da Matta claimed fourth spot.

Dario Franchitti said he is unhappy with the Forsythe Racing team tactics that cost him victory in the Michigan International Speedway. Patrick Carpentier won the race aided by a manoeuvere from team-mate Alex Tagliani on the final bend. "It's unfortunate that Tagliani got up there. Not to take anything away from Pat, he did a great job, but I'm going to have a word with 'Tag. He and Pat had a pretty well choreographed move," Franchitti said.

Michigan 500 result:         Laps
 1 P Carpentier  Can Ford     250
 2 D Franchitti  GB  Honda    250
 3 M Jourdain    Mex Ford     250
 4 C da Matta    Brz Toyota   250
 5 B Herta       US  Ford     250
 6 A Tagliani    Can Ford     249
 7 P Tracy       Can Ford     249
 8 H Castroneves Brz Honda    249
 9 RB Junqueira  Brz Toyota   249
10 RS Dixon      NZ  Toyota   248

Driver standings:
 1 K Brack        Swe Ford      84 pts
 2 D Franchitti   GB  Honda     81
 3 H Castroneves  Brz Honda     75
 4 M Andretti     US  Honda     73
 5 C da Matta     Brz Toyota    67
 6 G de Ferran    Brz Honda     58
 7 S Dixon        NZ  Toyota    57
 8 P Tracy        Can Honda     52
 9 J Vasser       US  Toyota    50
10 C Fittipaldi   Brz Toyota    49

Manufacturer standings:
1 Honda                   174 pts
2 Toyota                  154
3 Ford-Cosworth           151

ALMS:- Johnny Herbert and Andy Wallace feel that they can forge a successful partnership after finishing fourth on their American Le Mans Series debut. After their outing for Audi in Sears Point, California, Herbert said: "I will definitely do some more ALMS races with Andy and the Champion Audi team. It was so relaxing and enjoyable - just like motor racing should be."




24.07.2001

F1: THE GERMAN GP
If Michael Schumacher triumphs on Sunday not only will he move closer to another championship but he will equal Alain Prost's record of 51 wins. And the German, who has recovered from a testing crash a week ago, will also have the backing of the home fans. Schumacher told Ferrari's website: "The accident will not create any problems for me racing on this track as I know why and how it happened. It would be great to celebrate a 51st win right here in Hockenheim."

Championship leader Michael Schumacher believes that Williams will pose the biggest threat to his chances of victory on Sunday. The Ferrari star told his team's website: "I expect Williams-BMW to be very strong at Hockenheim. So I expect a battle between ourselves, them and McLaren." Victory for Schumacher in Germany would leave him needing one more win - with five races remaining after Hockenheim - to clinch his fourth title.

David Coulthard knows that his chances of taking the drivers' title are slim but the Scot but he refuses to give up hope just yet. "There are six races to go and we are looking to build on the second positions held in both the drivers' and constructors' titles," he said. "The German Grand Prix is always an interesting race, often affected by the unpredictable weather conditions. With the extremely fast outfield section a set-up compromise is needed."

Former world champion Mika Hakkinen goes into round 12 on the back of his best performance of the season. The Finn triumphed in the British Grand Prix earlier this month and he admitted: "The victory at Silverstone meant a lot to me. It also demonstrated to me that I am as committed to winning as ever and I am looking forward to more of the same at Hockenheim. Hockenheim is a challenging circuit and has a fantastic atmosphere."

Ralf Schumacher is relishing the chance to savour the atmosphere at what will be a home race for the Williams driver. The German stated: "It is my second home country grand prix this season and I will be looking forward to the unique atmosphere in the motodrom. It is like driving in a football stadium. Hockenheim is not particularly exciting for a driver but there are some good overtaking opportunities. As long as it does not rain we should be well prepared for the race."

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya is hoping that the recent test at Monza will reap rewards in Germany. "This will be my third visit to Hockenheim so it should improve my knowledge of the track," said Montoya. "The Monza test has been extremely useful for us because our performance in Germany will depend on many of the factors that we see at Monza. One factor is the importance of fuel levels. All in all, we have a good car and should be competitive."

Hockenheim has proved to be a lucky circuit for Jarno Trulli so he will be banking on a points finish. The Italian stated: "Jordan have always performed quite well at Hockenheim. I raced at this circuit six times in the German Formula Three Championship and won six times. It is also where I scored my first Formula One points. This all adds to my confidence on this track and optimism for the grand prix. Together with Monza, Hockenheim has one of the best grand prix atmospheres."

Eddie Irvine is unsure how his Jaguar team will fare on Sunday. He admitted: "Hockenheim is the first really high-speed circuit we race on this season so it is difficult to predict how we will do. We have to qualify better as our race pace is very good but I am cautiously optimistic that we can do that. The German Grand Prix seems to be all or nothing for me. I won here in 1999 but in my six other races here I have not even made it into the points."

Benetton duo Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella will be hoping for their best race of 2001 on Sunday after a positive test in Monza. The team's technical director Mike Gascoyne confirmed: "We were able to complete more kilometres than at any test we have had this season. I feel that we are more prepared for Hockenheim than we have been for any race so far this season. We certainly have to look to both a more reliable and competitive weekend."

Jos Verstappen is expecting to see a big following of Dutch fans in round 12 in Germany. The Dutchman commented: "Hockenheim is one of the closest grands prix to Holland so you can expect to see a lot of Dutch fans at the race. The Hockenheimring is a very fast, low downforce circuit. That kind of configuration usually suits our car but we will not know exactly where we stand until we start running there."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen describes a lap:- Hockenheim is a distinguished track in comparison to other F1 circuits. It is almost like racing on two separate tracks. The short, slow and twisty infield section is so different to the long, fast straights that form the majority of the track. A good compromise in car set-up needs to be found in order to gain maximum speed on the straights but sufficient downforce in the motodrome. A good qualifying position is important as overtaking is quite difficult here. You make it up to sixth gear on the straight leading up to the first corner and it is important to get this turn right and power out early. On the exit you try to gain all the momentum for the following straight, which is the longest and the quickest on the circuit. You shift up to seventh with a speed of around 350km/h. You brake heavily into the first chicane at the 100m sign and quickly shift down to second. Accelerating out of the chicane you shift back up to seventh and reach around 330km/h before the Ostkurve. It is the slowest chicane at the Hockenheim circuit. It is very bumpy with a lot of camber changes so it can be difficult to keep the wheels on the ground. You shift back up to seventh again. Then you brake for the last chicane - which is the Ayrton Senna Kurve - into second gear. After this comes the final short straight and a quick fourth-gear right- hander into the small stadium section, which is quite twisty. The quickest way through here is by having good downforce. You take the 180 degree turn in third, move into the double right-hander, then go along the start-finish straight.

Sunday's race is scheduled to last for 45 laps (190.879 miles). The race will be the 49th German Grand Prix and the 25th held at Hockenheim. Germany and Italy are the only two countries to currently stage two grands prix a year but while Germany have held 56 races overall, Italy have hosted 72. Ferrari star Rubens Barrichello claimed his maiden win at Hockenheim last year. He set the fastest race lap (1:44.30) when winning in the wet with dry tyres.




25.07.2001

F1:- Jordan have confirmed that they have terminated the contract of driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen for the 2001 and 2002 campaigns. Chief executive Eddie Jordan said: "It has been a disappointing season for both of us. We had an exchange of views following the British Grand Prix and this is the outcome." The team's third driver, Richard Zonta, will replace Frentzen for this weekend's German Grand Prix.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen has revealed that he is taking legal advice over his axing as a driver by Jordan. In a statement, he said: "The reasons I have been given for this termination I contest in their entirety. My position in this matter is now under legal advice. Due to the current situation, I am unable to make any further comment at this time." Frentzen was third in the title race in his first season with Jordan in 1999 but was ninth last year.

CART:- Dario Franchitti will be bidding to take over at the top of the driver standings after Sunday's Target Grand Prix of Chicago. He is only three points behind series leader Kenny Brack after being on the podium in three of his last five races - and that includes a win in Cleveland. Michael Andretti, who has moved up to fourth in the Championship, is hoping to keep up his recent run of good form. "There is no reason why we cannot get on the podium in Chicago," he said.

F3000:- Justin Wilson will be out to extend his lead in the championship in Saturday's round nine in Germany. Wilson's Coca-Cola Nordic Racing team also lead the teams' table and ahead of the Hockenheim race, Wilson said: "We tested well here a few weeks ago. We will be looking towards another podium finish, which if things go to plan will be on top of the podium. As usual, all this starts in qualifying but I am confident that I will be at the front of the grid."




26.07.2001 - F1

Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis have been confirmed as BAR's drivers for next season. Villeneuve remains with BAR for a fourth successive season, while Panis has been rewarded for an impressive first year with the team. Both drivers feel certain they will be able to challenge Ferrari, McLaren and the re-emerging Williams next year. "We should improve significantly and I'm confident we can achieve some good results," said Villeneuve.

Ricardo Zonta and Takuma Sato have emerged as the early front-runners to replace Heinz-Harald Frentzen following his shock sacking by Jordan. Frentzen's contract was terminated just days before the German Grand Prix. The German, who is threatening legal action, will be replaced on Sunday by test driver Zonta. Zonta is in pole position to keep the job permanently but Japanese ace Sato, currently enjoying a superb season in Formula Three, has tested for Jordan.

Toyota boss Ove Andersson has confirmed that Allan McNish will drive for the Formula One newcomers next season. In a bid to end the speculation which has persisted since the team launched, Andersson announced that the Scot will partner Finn Mika Salo. "Allan is doing a good job for us now and, if this continues, I see no reason to change," he said. "We have good co-operation and if that continues on the same level I would say he's confirmed," he added.



27.07.2001 - F1: THE GERMAN GP

Eddie Irvine delighted his Jaguar bosses by lapping faster than the home favourites in free practice. Irvine ended the second session on a sweltering hot afternoon at Hockenheim with the fastest lap of one minute 41.424 seconds. Juan Pablo Montoya was second quickest 0.063 behind with Mika Hakkinen third fastest in 1:41.949. Michael Schumacher was fifth with brother Ralf in 10th spot while Jenson Button was down in 15th place.

David Coulthard admitted he is worried about the performance of his McLaren after coming seventh in free practice. "I'm not happy with the way the car has performed," said Coulthard, who must win if he is to catch up with Michael Schumacher in the drivers' standings. I am not sure exactly where I am with the car, so I am going to want to look much more closely personally at the data and work with the engineers. I'm a little bit more concerned now than I would be normally."

Friday's combined practice times:
                             mins secs
 1 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:41.424
 2 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:41.487
 3 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:41.949
 4 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:41.953
 5 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:42.255
 6 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   1:42.302
 7 D Coulthard   GB  McLaren  1:42.304
 8 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    1:42.828
 9 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:42.941
10 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:42.987
11 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:43.014
12 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   1:43.211
13 R Zonta       Brz Jordan   1:43.461
14 O Panis       Fr  BAR      1:43.487
15 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:43.496
16 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber   1:43.528
17 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      1:43.815
18 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   1:44.143
19 L Burti       Brz Prost    1:44.162
20 E Bernoldi    Brz Arrows   1:44.549
21 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi  1:44.730
22 T Marques     Brz Minardi  1:45.005

Jarno Trulli has revealed he is considering a move away from Jordan at the end of the season. The Italian, who is coming to the end of his two-year contract, said it has nothing to do with the shock sacking of team-mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen. "I am talking with several people and I will make my decision within the next few weeks," he said. "Although it's a good idea to stay here, you have to take a look at what's happening around you."

Eddie Jordan said he had never argued with sacked German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen, claiming the 34-year-old had to go for the sake of the team. The Irish team owner, speaking two days after Frentzen's sacking was announced, dismissed any suggestion of a heated row between the two. "I have never heard Heinz-Harald's voice raised. I don't believe I have ever raised my voice to him," he said. "There has never been any question of a row," added Jordan.




28.07.2001

F1: THE GERMAN GP
Juan Pablo Montoya claimed pole position for Sunday's race as Williams recorded their first qualifying one-two since 1997. The Colombian recorded a time of one minute, 38.117 seconds and team-mate Ralf Schumacher was second. McLaren's Mika Hakkinen finished in third position while points leader Michael Schumacher was fourth. David Coulthard recorded the fifth fastest time while Eddie Irvine was 11th and Jenson Button 18th.

Juan Pablo Montoya said his pole spot for Sunday's race was the result of a concerted effort by the Williams team. "It feels really good, we did really well and everyone worked so hard for this," he said. "I am really surprised how much quicker we went in qualifying although we made a lot of changes overnight. It is looking quite good for Sunday. We haven't had problems all weekend so it should be a strong race," he added after the Williams one-two.

David Coulthard has admitted that he needs something special to happen if he is to win in Germany on Sunday. Coulthard qualified in fifth place for the race with Juan Pablo Montoya taking pole position for Williams. "I need a miracle but sometimes they do happen," he said. "So far as I am concerned it's also still possible to win the title but I am not quick here. We have had our opportunities and missed them. That's why Michael has the lead and comfort zone which he has."

Officials have confirmed that the German Grand Prix will be held at the Hockenheim circuit for the next seven years until 2008. This weekend sees the 25th German Grand Prix to be held at the circuit but is the last year before the track is completely changed. The track will be shortened to 4.49km from its present 6.825km, eliminating much of the speed. Germany hosts the European Grand Prix which ran recently at the Nurburgring.

Qualifying times:             min secs
 1 JP Montoya    Col Williams 1:38.117
 2 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:38.136
 3 M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren  1:38.811
 4 M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari  1:38.941
 5 D Coulthard   GB  McLaren  1:39.574
 6 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:39.682
 7 N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber   1:39.921
 8 K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber   1:40.072
 9 P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar   1:40.265
10 J Trulli      It  Jordan   1:40.322
11 E Irvine      GB  Jaguar   1:40.371
12 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      1:40.437
13 O Panis       Fr  BAR      1:40.610
14 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    1:40.724
15 R Zonta       Brz Jordan   1:41.174
16 L Burti       Brz Prost    1:41.213
17 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:41.299
18 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:41.438
19 E Bernoldi    Brz Arrows   1:41.668
20 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows   1:41.870
21 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi  1:41.913
22 T Marques     Brz Minardi  1:42.716

Ferrari have announced that they will stay with Japanese tyre supplier Bridgestone until the end of 2004. The Formula One world champions switched to Bridgestone when Goodyear pulled out of Formula One in 1999.

F3000 (Hockenheim):- Justin Wilson claimed his third successive second place result of the season to extend his championship lead to 10 points. Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia of the Petrobras Junior Team took the honours, beating the Wilson by 4.9 seconds. Ricardo Sperafico was third while Wilson's closest rival Mark Webber had to retire. "The team have done a great job all weekend. It all helps towards the championship," Wilson said.

ALMS:- Johnny Herbert has confirmed that he will compete in the rest of this year's American Le Mans Series. The ex-Formula One star drove an Audi in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race for the Champion Racing team and again at Sears Point last weekend. Fourth in California convinced Herbert that his future lies in sportscar racing and he has committed to the final six rounds of the championship. "The Sears Point race merely confirmed that I wanted to race again," he said.



29.07.2001

F1: THE GERMAN GP
Ralf Schumacher thrilled his home crowd as he stormed to victory in a race full of drama in which his brother Michael was involved in a first-lap crash. World champion Michael collided with Luciano Burti and the race had to be restarted with both using spare cars. Schumacher later retired but David Coulthard was also forced to pull out and his title hopes are fading fast. Rubens Barrichello was second while Jenson Button finished fifth but Eddie Irvine was among a host of casualties.

Ralf Schumacher was delighted to secure victory in front of his home crowd after an incident-packed race. "It's a great feeling. With a German package, a German driver in Germany, it's the perfect scenario," he said. "I've never really finished where I have wanted to finish at this track until today." Schumacher, who is now just six points behind second-placed David Coulthard in the drivers' standings, added "It was the perfect scenario for me."

Ralf Schumacher dismissed any hope of catching his brother Michael in the race for the drivers' championship. Schumacher, who recorded his third Grand Prix victory of the season, is 43 points behind his brother with 50 points still to play for. "I'm not going for the championship," said Schumacher, who is closing in on David Coulthard in second spot. "All we can do is be competitive but in Hungary it will be difficult because it is not a track which suits us."

Rubens Barrichello would have been content with third place and was more than delighted to finish second behind race winner Ralf Schumacher. "The two-stop strategy paid off because it meant I was the only car to keep pace with the Williams," he said. Barrichello's team-mate and world champion Michael Schumacher was forced to retire which helped the Brazilian. "I was hoping to finish well and if Michael had done well then I don't know what would have happened."

Jacques Villeneuve was thrilled to finish the race in third place after starting from 12th on the grid. "I thought we would be lucky to get in the points, never mind the podium, so this is great," said the Canadian. Villeneuve also expressed his surprise that the race was stopped after Michael Schumacher and Luciano Burti had collided on the opening lap. "I didn't see what happened but I was surprised when there was a red flag as we had gone through the debris once."

Michael Schumacher admitted he was scared after the crash which forced the race to be restarted. Schumacher developed gear problems on the opening lap which resulted in Luciano Burti's car crashing into him. Burti's car somersaulted before sliding into the gravel but both drivers escaped serious injury. "Suddenly I had no gear. I saw Burti coming but I had no chance to move over. It was scary, I was worried that worse could have happened."

Luciano Burti and Michael Schumacher were both fortunate to escape serious injury when their cars collided. Burti careered into the back of the German's Ferrari when it developed gear problems which sent him spiralling. The race was restarted with the drivers using spare cars but the Brazilian was in trouble after injuring his left arm. "It became very difficult to hold the steering wheel. The pain was growing so much I simply could not drive any longer," said Burti, after retiring.

Even before the crash involving Michael Schumacher and Luciano Burti forced the race to be restarted there was drama. Fernando Alonso's Minardi was pushed back into the pits with smoke belching and team-mate Tarso Marques could not start before the cars reached the grid. Both cars started from the pit lane, before the race was stopped. All cars returned for the restart but Nick Heidfeld's Sauber and Pedro de la Rosa's Jaguar collided on the first corner, leaving them out of the race.

World champion Michael Schumacher was not too upset after his retirement ruled him out of the points. The main reason for Schumacher's sense of relief was the fact that his nearest title rival David Coulthard also failed to finish the race. "I wasn't expecting to win but it would have been nice to score another six points," said Schumacher. "Had I got the points we could finally have done it in Hungary but we will have to wait a bit longer."

A victory for Michael Schumacher in the Hungarian Grand Prix in three weeks time would be enough for him to retain the drivers' championship. Schumcher retained his 37-point lead over David Coulthard after both drivers were forced to retire from the race. "Nothing has changed for the championship so I am not that upset," said the world champion. "Of course, I'm disappointed but I am also very happy about what Ralf did in our home Grand Prix."

David Coulthard's hopes of catching Michael Schumacher in the drivers' standings are fading fast after both drivers failed to finish. Coulthard needed to win to close the 37-point gap between himself and the German but missed his chance. The Scot, who retired shortly after Schumacher, said: "I was aware that a number of cars were retiring. "Unfortunately I added to that statistic when the engine let go immediately after my pit stop."

Jenson Button was overjoyed after he finished fifth to notch his first championship points of the season. The Briton was also thrilled for his Benetton team as he finished behind team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella. "We've been looking good all weekend and the consistency and the reliability of the car has helped," said Button. "Finishing third and fourth is good for the team. We really needed it. It's good for the mechanics and everyone behind the scenes who work so hard."

Jenson Button once again dismissed rumours that he will be moving from the Benetton team next year. Button, who finished in fifth place, said: "I'll be at Benetton next year, that's what my contract says and that's where I want to be at the moment." Technical director Mike Gascoyne was also happy as both Benetton drivers claimed championship points. "You make your own luck but it's a team result. We needed two cars to drop out but we've come fourth and fifth."

Jaguar's Eddie Irvine was frustrated after being forced out of the race with a fuel pressure problem. "I made a good start and was looking forward to scrapping with those in front of me," said Irvine. "Regardless of how many cars dropped out, we were always well placed to fight for points and it's disappointing to retire in this manner. There are areas we need to get on top of quickly. We should undoubtedly have scored some points today."

Pedro de la Rosa admitted to an error on a disappointing day for the Jaguar team with both drivers dropping out. "As I approached the first chicane the cars in front of me bunched very quickly," said de la Rosa. "Before I knew it I was heading into the bottleneck. I braked well before the 100 metre board but underestimated how close Nick Heidfeld was. There was little I could do and I locked up my brakes. I will apologise to Nick for ruining his race."

Result after 45 laps:        hr min sec
 1 R Schumacher  Ger Williams 1:18.17.8
 2 R Barrichello Brz Ferrari  1:19.03.9
 3 J Villeneuve  Can BAR      1:19.20.6
 4 G Fisichella  It  Benetton 1:19.21.3
 5 J Button      GB  Benetton 1:19.23.3
 6 J Alesi       Fr  Prost    1:19.23.8
 7 O Panis       Fr  BAR      1:19.35.4
 8 E Bernoldi    Brz Arrows    @ 1 lap
 9 J Verstappen  Ned Arrows    @ 1 lap
10 F Alonso      Sp  Minardi   @ 1 lap
NOT CLASSIFIED: retirements:  after lap
   J Trulli      It  Jordan     34
   D Coulthard   GB  McLaren    27
   T Marques     Brz Minardi    26
   JP Montoya    Col Williams   24
   M Schumacher  Ger Ferrari    23
   L Burti       Brz Prost      23
   K Raikkonen   Fin Sauber     16
   E Irvine      GB  Jaguar     16
   M Hakkinen    Fin McLaren    13
   R Zonta       Brz Jordan      7
   N Heidfeld    Ger Sauber      0
   P de la Rosa  Sp  Jaguar      0
Fastest lap: JP Montoya,  1:41.808 secs

DRIVER STANDINGS
 1 M Schumacher  Ger  Ferrari   84 pts
 2 D Coulthard   GB   McLaren   47
 3 R Schumacher  Ger  Williams  41
 4 R Barrichello Brz  Ferrari   40
 5 M Hakkinen    Fin  McLaren   19
 6 J-P Montoya   Col  Williams  15
 7 J Villeneuve  Can  BAR       11
 8 N Heidfeld    Ger  Sauber    10
 9 J Trulli      It   Jordan     9
 = K Raikkonen   Fin  Sauber     9
11 HH Frentzen   Ger  Jordan     6
12 O Panis       Fr   BAR        5
13 E Irvine      GB   Jaguar     4
== G Fisichella  It   Benetton   4
== J Alesi       Fr   Prost      4
16 J Button      GB   Benetton   2
17 J Verstappen  Ned  Arrows     1
== P de la Rosa  Sp   Jaguar     1

CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS
1 Ferrari      124 pts
2 McLaren       66
3 Williams      56
4 Sauber        19
5 BAR           16
6 Jordan        15
7 Benetton       6
8 Jaguar         5
9 Prost          4
= Arrows         1

CART (Chicago):- Brazil's Tony Kanaan edged out his compatriot Helio Castroneves to claim pole for Sunday's race. Kanaan set a quickest time of 23.145 seconds in an average speed of 160.052 mph to edge out Castroneves by just 0.003 of a second. Castroneves ran out of fuel on the second top-speed lap of his own practice session. Mexico's Adrian Fernandez was third followed by American Memo Gidlen and Italy's Alex Zanardi.

Driver standings (after Michigan 500):
 1 K Brack        Swe Ford      84 pts
 2 D Franchitti   GB  Honda     81
 3 H Castroneves  Brz Honda     75
 4 M Andretti     US  Honda     73
 5 C da Matta     Brz Toyota    67
 6 G de Ferran    Brz Honda     58
 7 S Dixon        NZ  Toyota    57
 8 P Tracy        Can Honda     52
 9 J Vasser       US  Toyota    50
10 C Fittipaldi   Brz Toyota    49

Manufacturer standings:
1 Honda                   174 pts
2 Toyota                  154
3 Ford-Cosworth           151





30.07.2001

F1:- David Coulthard has revealed he is struggling to find the physical and mental strength required to continue his uphill championship battle. The 30-year-old Scot is 30 points adrift of Michael Schumacher following the German Grand Prix on Sunday. Coulthard said: "Things are taking their toll, physically and emotionally. You need to have high levels of energy to keep pushing hard every weekend and to help you ride the disappointments because they take it out of you more."

Jordan have described reports linking them with veteran driver Jean Alesi as "purely speculative". The 37-year-old Frenchman, currently with Prost, has been suggested as a possible replacement for sacked German driver Heinz-Harold Frentzen. A team spokesman said: "The Jordan Honda team will not be making any comments concerning drivers until further notice. Any current stories being discussed in the media are purely speculative."

Switzerland's Marcel Faessler will have his first Formula One drive with a test for Sauber at Magny-Cours in September. Team boss Peter Sauber said he had promised Faessler a drive once he won his first race which he did in May. The 25-year-old DTM German Touring Car series driver is older than both Sauber's current drivers, German Nick Heidfeld and Finn Kimi Raikkonen. Sauber said: "Marcel and I have a long agreement and I am delighted to keep up our end of the bargain."

The FIA have defended their decision to restart the German Grand Prix. David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve both criticised the decision to stop the race following a first corner crash involving Michael Schumacher. But FIA spokesman Francesco Longanesi said they had to stop the race because of the amount of debris on the circuit. "There was a very serious risk of a puncture, and on a high-speed circuit like Hockenheim that could have led to catastrophic results," he said.

CART (Chicago):- Kenny Brack stretched his lead at the top of the championship standings with his third victory of the season. The Swede et a new record for the track with a top speed of 132.031mph, nearly 10mph better than the mark set by Juan Pablo Montoya in 1999. Brack had failed to pick up any points in the previous two races at Torondo and Michigan. Scotland's Dario Franchitti is third in the standings, 23 points adrift of Brack, after finishing 15th.

Sunday's result:            hr min secs
 1 K Brack      Swe Ford     1:45:12
 2 P Carpentier Can Ford     @4.480secs
 3 G de Fe ran  Brz Honda     same lap
 4 S Dixon      NZ  Toyota    same lap
 5 M Gidley     US  Toyota    same lap
 6 A Tagliani   Can Ford      same lap
 7 H Castron'es Brz Honda     same lap
 8 T Kanaan     Brz Honda     same lap
 9 A Zanardi    It  Honda     same lap
10 A Fernandez  Mex Honda     same lap
15 D Franchitti GB  Honda    1 lap down

Driver standings             Points
1 K Brack      Swe Ford        104
2 H Castron'es Brz Honda        82
3 D Franchitti GB  Honda        81
4 M Andretti   US  Honda        73
5 G de Ferran  Brz Honda        72
6 S Dixon      NZ  Toyota       69

F.RENAULT:- Cambridge's Robert Huff will return to Formula Renault action at Snetterton on Saturday with the Paston Racing team.

CLIO CUP:- The Elf Clio Cup will boast its biggest grid of the year for Snetterton's night race on Saturday with 26 set to start.




31.07.2001

BTCC (Snetterton):- The championship reaches round 15 and 16 for the second of the night meetings and the battle for points will be as tough as ever on Saturday. Only three points separate the top two drivers in each class so a fierce weekend of racing is guaranteed. In the Touring Class, Jason Plato snatched the top spot from team-mate Yvan Muller at Knockhill. James Kaye in the Production Class leads Simon Harrison by the same margin, with both drivers on four wins.

Jason Plato is hoping that his recent good form continues for this vital weekend of racing. Plato has shown impressive form at night with a double win at Silverstone and is determined to widen the gap at the top of the standings. "We recently tested at Snetterton and I was happy with the overall result. It is a good track for me," he said. "I have had some good night race results and hopefully my recent form will stay with me."

Frenchman Yvan Muller goes into the night race meeting on Saturday determined to regain the championship lead over Jason Plato. Muller has been suffering from a run of bad luck over the last few races and will need all of his night racing knowledge to close the gap. "I have been suffering with brake problems recently and I was unable to drive as had I hoped," he said. "But with the cooler night air, I am confident I will find my winning form."

Production class leader James Kaye says the Norfolk track is an ideal one for his Honda Accord. Kaye leads Simon Harrison by just three points and is hoping that his car's performance through the corners will prove decisive. "Snetterton should be good for us. The nature of the circuit is smooth and flowing and that should suit our car," he said. "The track can be hard on tyres and we don't suffer in that department."

Simon Harrison goes into the weekend confident he can repeat his last night race success which saw him record first and second place finishes. Harrison, who trails Simon Kaye by just three points in the Production Class, knows how important this event is. He said: "It is really close between us now and I am glad that Snetterton has come at this stage of the championship. This circuit is the one that is most suitable to our car. As long as I finish ahead of Kaye, I'll be happy."

Teenager Tom Boardman says he cannot wait for the night race event in Norfolk on Saturday. The 17-year-old Production Class star from Lancashire has a good memories of the circuit because one of his first racing victories came at Snetterton. Boardman said: "I like racing at this track anyway but at night it will be something special. We've tried to sort out the fuel problems I've been having so it will be down to me to get a good result."

RALLYING:- Mitsubishi have officially launched their first World Rally car. The Japanese manufacturer have used Group A cars in the World Championship but have now unveiled the new Lancer Evolution WRC. Group A cars can have fewer modifications than WRC cars and Mitsubishi have created the new model to keep pace with their rivals. Tommi Makinen and Freddy Loix tested the car last week and will give it its debut in the San Remo Rally in October.