Hungarian GP Williams race notes

THE RACE - 15th AUGUST 1999

Weather: Sunny, 26 degrees average

An honourable ninth position for the Winfield WilliamsF1 Team, achieved by a truly committed Ralf Schumacher who started this Hungarian Grand Prix from the 16th position.

Alex Zanardi's race didn't last longer than ten laps, due to a differential failure.

Ralf Schumacher

Final Position: 9th Best Time: 1:21.745 Chassis: FW21 06

"On one side I am not too satisfied, of course, with today's ninth position as I could not score any points but of course, on the other side, starting from a very poor position on the grid, I think this was quite the best result I could achieve. In fact, it is nearly impossible to overtake on this track, and the only positions you can hope to gain are mostly due to the pit stop strategy. Anyway, what I have learned through all this weekend is that we are a few seconds slower than many other teams."

Alex Zanardi

Final Position: DNF Best Time: 1:24.297 T-Car Chassis: FW21 05

"Today I had to experience a feeling I am unfortunately getting familiar with: the broken differential. The rear of the car began to slide around in a strange way and it behaved unpredictably. Then, when the alarm appeared on the display, it was too late, because the car was already undriveable. This time, contrary to what we did in Brazil, Spain and Germany - where we had the same problem - I decided to park aside. I am very disappointed and also sorry, because I am sure that the Winfield WilliamsF1 team can build fast and indestructible cars and it drives me mad thinking that my race ended because of the same problem for the fourth time this season."

Patrick Head, Technical Director

"I think the car was not quick on the circuit at anytime during the whole weekend. With regards to Ralf's race, to reach the ninth place from 16th on the grid, on a circuit like this, is as much as you can expect. Ralf drove a good race in a difficult car. For Alex he had again a problem with his car, which appears to be electrical. We are really not giving him a good chance of showing what he is capable of, so all we can do now is go away and do better."