Hungarian GP Stewart Race Notes

Hungaroring, Sunday 15th August, 1999

Hungarian Grand Prix: Race (77 laps)

Weather: Sunny and hot (Ambient temperature 25 deg C, track temperature 33 deg C)

Rubens Barrichello finished fifth in today's Hungarian Grand Prix adding two points to the Stewart-Ford team's tally. Team mate Johnny Herbert finished 11th.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04) What was the thinking behind the one-stop strategy? 'It's so hard to overtake here that we felt our best chance with our tyre choice was to go for one stop. Because the guys ahead were using softer tyres and were on two stops my aim was to keep up with the pack at the start and make sure of a clean stop. The crew did a good job. The car handled well considering the fuel load it was carrying.'

Fifth place and two championship points, you must be pleased? 'I'm relieved to finally get back in the points. I'm sure we can pick up more points before the season is over if we produce performances like today's. I'm really looking forward to Spa now after this result. I think the car will be well suited there.'

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05) After being on the pace this morning - you didn't seem to have the same speed during the race? 'To be honest I'm very confused as to why I was slow. The car was very twitchy and I kept having wheelspin. We made some changes during the pit stop but it didn't help. Towards the end I had one quick lap but then the car immediately changed back and I was fighting it again.'

What do you think caused the problems? 'I don't know. We have to look at the data. I was on the pace this morning and we made no major set-up changes to the car before the race. There was changes in the track conditions but that was the same for everybody - so I'm a bit mystified at the moment.'

PAUL STEWART, SGP Chief Operating Officer 'After missing out on points recently, I'm really pleased to be fifth and to have both cars finish. It was a strong and reliable result for the whole team.'

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director, Ford Racing, Europe 'It was imperative that we improved reliability following recent non-finishes. It was important that both cars finished today's race and I'm pleased that we did just that. We experienced no mechanical problems throughout the weekend.'