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British GP Ford Race Report
STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES 1998 British Grand Prix - Silverstone Sunday 12th July: RACE * The team's decision to run from the start on slick tyres was a calculated gamble given the uncertainty of the weather. However, once ...
Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM
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STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES 1998 British Grand Prix - Silverstone
Sunday 12th July: RACE
* The team's decision to run from the start on slick tyres was a calculated gamble given the uncertainty of the weather. However, once the rain arrived soon after the start both drivers were struggling for driveability and grip. The race ended for Jos at Stowe with suspected engine failure. Rubens appeared to be revelling in the wet conditions until he spun coming out of Club Corner.
Paul Stewart, Managing Director:
'All round this was a disappointing event for the entire team. The car is clearly not handling to the satisfaction of either driver. It is difficult to understand why at a circuit like Silverstone we were not competitive because in Barcelona, a track which has similar characteristics to here, we were on the pace. We need to find out quickly why the car has begun to handle differently. We felt our grid positions warranted the choice of slicks particularly with the wind drying the track before the start. Our race strategy was for Jos to do two stops and Rubens one but when the rain came our plans were thrown awry. We found a little more competitiveness with the other teams on wet tyres. We will be testing in Monza this week and we have begun to discuss a plan of action to try and get to the bottom of the current situation.' '
Martin Whitaker, Ford European Director of Motorsport:
'Although we were pleased with the introduction of the new Series 5 engine on Saturday we are all glad to see the end of a difficult weekend in terms of performance. The weather was responsible for the end of Rubens' race while Jos stopped with a suspected engine failure.'
Rubens Barrichello: Car no.18: SF-2/04 Retired: Spin Laps: 39
'Our decision to take a risk with the slicks seemed to be paying off until it rained. We lost a lot of time in the first 10 laps which we never really got back. I felt a little unlucky to loose the car when I did because, apart from the leaders, my times were pretty good on wet tyres. I was impressed with the driveability of the engine in the wet. Coming out of Club the car aquaplaned and I lost it. I guess we all have to go off sometime, it's a shame it happened here particularly since I felt I had a chance to gain a couple of places if I kept it together.'
Jos Verstappen: Car no.19: SF-2/03 Retired: Engine Laps: 38
'We decided to gamble and choose to start the race on slicks. It proved to be the wrong choice as the weather conditions gradually got worse. My race began to improve after we fitted wet tyres but unfortunately I had a problem with my engine and pulled off at Stowe. It was not an ideal way to end the team's home Grand Prix.'
* The team's decision to run from the start on slick tyres was a calculated gamble given the uncertainty of the weather. However, once the rain arrived soon after the start both drivers were struggling for driveability and grip. The race ended for Jos at Stowe with suspected engine failure. Rubens appeared to be revelling in the wet conditions until he spun coming out of Club Corner.
Paul Stewart, Managing Director:
'All round this was a disappointing event for the entire team. The car is clearly not handling to the satisfaction of either driver. It is difficult to understand why at a circuit like Silverstone we were not competitive because in Barcelona, a track which has similar characteristics to here, we were on the pace. We need to find out quickly why the car has begun to handle differently. We felt our grid positions warranted the choice of slicks particularly with the wind drying the track before the start. Our race strategy was for Jos to do two stops and Rubens one but when the rain came our plans were thrown awry. We found a little more competitiveness with the other teams on wet tyres. We will be testing in Monza this week and we have begun to discuss a plan of action to try and get to the bottom of the current situation.' '
Martin Whitaker, Ford European Director of Motorsport:
'Although we were pleased with the introduction of the new Series 5 engine on Saturday we are all glad to see the end of a difficult weekend in terms of performance. The weather was responsible for the end of Rubens' race while Jos stopped with a suspected engine failure.'
Rubens Barrichello: Car no.18: SF-2/04 Retired: Spin Laps: 39
'Our decision to take a risk with the slicks seemed to be paying off until it rained. We lost a lot of time in the first 10 laps which we never really got back. I felt a little unlucky to loose the car when I did because, apart from the leaders, my times were pretty good on wet tyres. I was impressed with the driveability of the engine in the wet. Coming out of Club the car aquaplaned and I lost it. I guess we all have to go off sometime, it's a shame it happened here particularly since I felt I had a chance to gain a couple of places if I kept it together.'
Jos Verstappen: Car no.19: SF-2/03 Retired: Engine Laps: 38
'We decided to gamble and choose to start the race on slicks. It proved to be the wrong choice as the weather conditions gradually got worse. My race began to improve after we fitted wet tyres but unfortunately I had a problem with my engine and pulled off at Stowe. It was not an ideal way to end the team's home Grand Prix.'
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