Estoril testing times 1995-03-08

Here are the available times from testing at Estoril today (Wednesday)

1. Irvine Jordan Peugeot 1:21.64 2. Barrichello Jordan Peugeot 1:22.29 3. Coulthard Williams Renault 1:22.34 4. Katayama Tyrrell Yamaha 1:23.26 5 ............(Driver and time not available) 6. Hill Williams Renault 1:23.99 x Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:24.68

Irvine's time is roughly 0.3 seconds slower than that set previously by Schumacher in testing. As regards the McLaren, the problems are apparently caused by the new headrest required by the regulations and the higher cockpit sides. Hakkinen is quoted as saying that Nigel is affected more because his shoulders are wider and that they need to take some panels off inside the car to give him [Hakkinen] more elbow room. "If that works, maybe it can be done in time for the first two races in Brazil and Argentina."

McLaren themselves see this as no more than a typical routine pre-season hiccup and Norman Howell of McLaren is quoted as saying that it is nothing particularly dramatic and "a lot has been made out of very little".

When the car arrives back at the factory on Friday Mansell will probably have another fitting then.

Peter