German GP Ford Friday News

STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES 1998 German Grand Prix - Hockenheim

Friday 31st July: FREE PRACTICE

Paul Stewart, Managing Director:

'We worked through a set-up programme today trying to achieve the right balance for the demands of Hockenheim's fast straights. What we are seeking to do is transfer all the data we picked up from the Monza test, where we ran in low downforce configuration, in an effort to improve the car's performance here. Obviously the car behaves a lot differently at a quick circuit like Hockenheim. We're reasonably happy with our straight line speed at present but we need to work at improving the car's behaviour through the chicanes and the stadium. We may have compromised too much downforce for straight line speed. It's something we will evaluate in tomorrow morning's practice in preparation for qualifying.'

Martin Whitaker, Ford European Director of Motorsport:

'For the first time, we have Series 5 engines available throughout the weekend and with no problems for either driver, we are happy with today's performance from an engine point of view. Both Rubens and Jos got through a lot of car set-up work today and managed to steadily improve their lap times while maintaining the fast straight line speeds necessary to be able to race effectively.'

Rubens Barrichello: Car no. 18: SF-2/04 Laps: 24 Best time: 1:46.257

'I was fighting the car a little bit today because I found the rear quite unstable at times. We haven't really got a clear picture of a set-up for qualifying but we'll have to work through a programme tomorrow morning and decide which direction to take. Generally my speed is good, but there's some work to do on the car's handling and consistency throughout a lap.'

Jos Verstappen: Car no.19: SF-2/03[PARA]Laps: 23[PARA]Best time: 1:47.086

'I have had a difficult Friday. As anyone can see from today's times we have been struggling to find a set-up that works well here at Hockenheim. We have tried many different things but have still not found what we are looking for. At the same time I'm not feeling too well either because of an ear infection. There is no doubt we are going to sit down and work out exactly where we can find the improvements we need for tomorrow's qualifying.'