Hungarian GP Tyrrell race notes

HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX [16.08.98] ANOTHER FINISH FOR TAKAGI

HUNGARORING, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, August 16, 1998 - Toranosuke Takagi's Formula One learning curve continued in positive fashion when he brought his Tyrrell-Ford home in 14th place at the end of today's Hungarian Grand Prix. Starting from 18th spot on the grid, Takagi and race engineer, David Brown, elected to use a two-stop strategy for tyres and fuel on this "high-downforce" circuit. The young Japanese driver climbed steadily up the field, eventually moving into 14th place on lap 68. After taking the chequered flag to record the sixth finish of his "rookie" Formula One season, Takagi experienced his first-ever "circuit invasion" as fans, intent on celebrating a dramatic win by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, flooded onto the track.

TORANOSUKE TAKAGI (NO 21) Finishing position: 14th Best lap: 1:26.830

"Everything went well up to the first pit stop, but then my second set of tyres wasn't quite as good as the first set and I lost time as a result. That, in turn, meant I was caught by the faster cars and had to move over to let them through. You can get a good lap time here provided you stay on the clean racing line, but the moment you have to go off line, as I did, you lose time. I imagined this would be a difficult event because of the nature of the circuit, and it certainly turned out to be so. Still, I finished the race, which is good, and we also proved the car is reliable, so that should mean we are in good shape for Spa.

"The scariest incident today actually happened after I had finished the race and I was on my 'cool-down' lap. I arrived at the back of the circuit only to find people all over the track. Happily, I didn't hit anybody, but in slowing and taking avoiding action, the engine stalled. It wasn't a great end to the day, but now I am looking forward to competing at Spa, which is one of the greatest racing circuits in the world."