Austrian GP Stewart Ford Race Notes

Sunday 26th July: RACE Paul Stewart, Managing Director: It's disappointing to have Rubens' race ended like it was after having such an excellent chance of a strong finish. We had a rear brake fluid leak with his car and he had no choice but to ...

Sunday 26th July: RACE

Paul Stewart, Managing Director: It's disappointing to have Rubens' race ended like it was after having such an excellent chance of a strong finish. We had a rear brake fluid leak with his car and he had no choice but to retire. I feel bad for Rubens because he has driven brilliantly all weekend. For him it's a huge let-down after so much promise. Jos also performed strongly. It's not often we have run at the front this season.'

Alan Jenkins, Technical Director: 'The team were looking forward to seeing how well we could run near the front so it is disappointing to have let Rubens down so early in the race. Rubens made a really good start and with a few other front runners going out a good result was possible. Jos did extremely well to avoid the first lap mayhem and then lost a few places after a tangle with Wurz. Now on to Hockenheim - the recent Monza test went well and the SF-2 looks good in low downforce aerodynamic configuration.'

Martin Whitaker, Ford European Director of Motorsport: 'While it was encouraging to see Rubens running strongly at the head of the field it was tremendously disappointing to see his early retirement with brake failure. Jos also ran strongly in the early stages although an excursion with Wurz dropped him back. His race was run when the engine failed on lap 52.'

Rubens Barrichello: Car no. 18: SF-2/02 Retired: brakes Laps: 8

'I had a brake problem right from the start. Even on the first lap when I went inside Fisichella I felt there was too much travel in the brake pedal. I wasn't sure whether it was just the feel of the pedal but I had no choice but to come in because I couldn't drive the car, it was too dangerous. It's a very disappointing way to end what has been a tremendous weekend. I was fifth on Friday, fifth in qualifying and I was running competitively in the race.'

Jos Verstappen: Car no.19: SF-2/03 Retired: engine Laps: 51

'I made a good start and moved up to 9th. I managed to drive round the early trouble between Diniz and Coulthard but I touched with Wurz a couple of laps later and lost three places. It is disappointing that engine trouble ended my race because the car was feeling good.'