Malaysian GP Stewart Friday Notes

Sepang, Friday 15th October, 1999

Weather: Morning rain giving way to hot and humid conditions. (Ambient temperature 28 deg C, track temperature 30 deg C, humidity 80

Rubens Barrichello finished seventh in today's Free Practice for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix. Johnny Herbert was 10th fastest.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04) Time: 1:43.042 Position: seventh 40 laps

Are you pleased with your day's work?

'I'm pleased with the way it went today considering we were all starting from scratch. We have a solid base from which to choose a direction for qualifying. We have a little more tinkering to do on set-up tomorrow to be in good shape for qualifying. Having experienced the circuit now, it's clear that tyre choice will be important for race strategy.'

How are you coping with the weather conditions?

'It's very hot when you come back to the garage. Being a Brazilian I should be used to it but it's a combination of the heat and humidity. Johnny says he has never seen my face so red, but he should look in the mirror.'

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05) Time: 1:43.349 Position: tenth 37 laps

What are your first impressions of the circuit?

'I like it. It's challenging, fast in places with a good mix of turns. Perhaps turn two is a bit slow but otherwise it's very demanding - just how we like it. It feels grippy in most places and there will be chances for overtaking.'

What was the focus of your efforts today?

'We made a number of set-up changes and improved the car as the day went on. Coming here cold, as it were, we spent a lot of time learning the circuit characteristics to get a clearer idea of downforce and general set-up requirements.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer

'A pretty uneventful day without any dramas. We made good preparation in terms of deciding on the optimum set-up for the circuit. This brand new circuit has met with approval from both drivers. The track surface is very good and the course designer and builders should be congratulated on a job well done.'

TYRONE JOHNSON, Technical Manager Ford Racing Research and Vehicle Technology

'The work we did at last week's Barcelona test combined with the better and more consistent driveability of the Series 3 engine have proved beneficial at this unknown Sepang circuit - helping both drivers to concentrate on setting up the cars and getting to know this new circuit. We will be using Series 3 engines both in qualifying and for the race.'