Malaysian GP Stewart Race Notes

Johnny Herbert finished fourth in today's Malaysian Grand Prix. Team mate Rubens Barrichello claimed fifth place.

Today's result moves the Stewart-Ford team to fourth place in the Constructors Championship - three points ahead of William Johnny started the race from fifth position and adopted a one stop strategy. Rubens started sixth and was on two stop

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05) More points, but not quite the podium? 'I'm a little disappointed not to have hung on to third place but it was a good result for the team. I was trying hard to hold off Hakkinen but I guess the new tyres he took on at his 'splash and dash' stop gave him the edge. It was a very solid effort. It was a tough race, hard on tyres and hard physically. I made only one mistake all weekend and that was running wide and allowing Hakkinen to pass.'

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04) How demanding was the race? 'I had to push hard all the time because of the two-stop strategy. It also meant that the tyres took quite a lot of punishment. I had a brake pedal problem after my second stop so I backed off a little but I also had to be mindful that Frentzen was closing so I had to push again towards the end. It was hard work out there - I'm absolutely exhausted.'

JACKIE STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 'This result is down to the collective efforts of the whole Stewart-Ford team. The fact that we can come to a brand new circuit like Sepang, without any previous circuit simulation data, and remain on the pace all weekend is made possible by the technical expertise of partners such as Hewlett Packard. The preparatory set-up information they were able to provide has been invaluable.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer 'A well-earned fourth and fifth place which is fantastic. Both Johnny and Rubens drove brilliant races today. Our mission was to come here and overtake Williams and move to fourth place in the Championship which feels great. But there's still one race to go and we'll be working hard to keep hold of that position in Japan.'

TYRONE JOHNSON, Technical Manager Ford Racing Research and Vehicle Technology 'A good all-round performance from everybody in the Stewart-Ford team. We have been quick throughout the weekend and the fact that we are now fourth in the Constructors Championship is a well deserved reward for everybody. Once again we experienced no engine problems and the team is in good shape to finish the season in style in Japan in two weeks' time.'