German GP Stewart race notes

Hockenheim, Sunday 1st August, 1999

STEWART-FORD NOTES & QUOTES German Grand Prix: Race (45 laps) Weather: Sunny and hot (Ambient temperature 29 deg C, track temperature 38 deg C)

Rubens Barrichello retired from fourth place after six laps with hydraulic failure. Johnny Herbert finished his race five laps from the end, after fighting his way up from 17th to fifth, when his car developed gearbox problems.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)

You must have enjoyed the first few laps?

'It was great while it lasted. I enjoyed the overtaking and I felt like I had enough power to challenge for third place with the two stop strategy I was on. My aim was to make a good start and gain as many places as I could - that part of the plan worked out fine. In the end I had no throttle and no gearbox.'

Your podium finish in Magny Cours must seem a long time ago?

'I've been running in the points in the British, Austrian and now the German Grands Prix and have nothing to show for it. Yet again this was a loss of valuable points. We can't afford to hand over points with silly things like this and give the advantage to our Championship rivals.'

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05)

Another slice of bad luck when running in the points again?

'Yes, it's very frustrating. We should not be having mechanical problems at this stage of the season. We just have to bang our heads together and get it fixed very quickly. I must have done something really bad to someone up there. It does get you down. But rest assured, I'll keep on fighting.'

Starting from 17th you must be pleased to have worked your way up to fifth?

'I got a clean start and picked up several places in the first few laps. The car felt good and I was able to run at a good pace. I was holding Panis off at the end. He was gaining on me slightly in The Complex but the only way he was going to pass was if I made a mistake so I was confident of finishing fifth.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer

'At this stage of the season we expected to have far more reliability. We have had too many problems of this nature over the weekend. It is confusing because we had a good four day test at Monza in preparation for this race without any difficulties. The team's focus must now turn to improving reliabiity for the rest of the season.'

JAC NASSER, Chief Executive Officer & President, Ford Motor Company 'It was very disappointing to be so competitive today, yet score no points. I feel especially sad for Johnny, who drove superbly to fight his way into the top six from 17th on the grid within 20 laps. To break down, with gearbox problems, only five laps from home in fifth position was a blow for Johnny and for the team. More than anybody, he is due some good fortune in Hungary in two weeks time'