Fresh start, new challenge
Autosport Driver's Column
5th November 1998

I’ve enjoyed my three years at Sauber, especially after the hoo-ha at Benetton. There have been some highs and lows but 95% has been highs. The team has grown a lot over the years. It was never hugely competitive before I came on board, and the first year after that wasn’t too hot either. We got things going much better for the second year, and the results came quite well. We should probably have achieved more, but at least we moved up a level.

We had some success last year, and we all thought it would be better in 1998. It hasn’t quite worked out that way. There hasn’t really been a big highlight for me this season. It started out with one point in Australia, and outqualifying Jean [Alesi] at Suzuka in my last race was nice. It’s a shame Sunday didn’t work out. Three starts was too much for the clutch, and I stalled it. After that, it was a fight to catch up. It was fun, and I nearly caught Alex [Wurz] at the end. It’s good to leave the with a much better performance. It started off well and ended well.

This year, we probably had a worse season than last, because of the tightness of the championship these days. Generally, there aren’t many failures any more. Where you qualify is where you end up, unless you’ve had a bad session and you’re fighting your way up.

We had a little bit of a problem around the time of Silverstone and Austria, when Jean was given priority. When I felt I needed a little bit of support, I didn’t get it. It’s not a criticism, it’s just that it didn’t work out. Having those two things, especially on the trot, knocked me back a little.

Things like that do happen. Otherwise, it’s all been good. We still finished sixth in the constructors, which is not bad. It’s nice to have been involved in bringing the team up to that level. However, a lot of work needs to be done before it wins races. There’s still a big gap to close.

Now I’m looking forward to next year with Stewart. I didn’t do the Bridgestone test at Suzuka this week, so I won’t drive the car until December. The team made a good start last year, but it’s been a bit disappointing this season. It had a few problems with the gearbox early on, and it’s just things like that which set it back a bit. However, I think it will be easier for the smaller teams next year, because everyone’s on Bridgestones.

I’ve been looking at what Stewart’s doing and I’m very happy about it. The Ford deal with Cosworth is a good thing, and getting Gary Anderson along is another positive step. He’s done a good job at Jordan over the years, and it’s a good idea to get someone who has that experience and knowledge to come to a young team like this, which needs a little bit of pulling together.

I want to work hard at getting that to work, and I’m sure Jackie and Paul Stewart, and Ford, want the same. Gary wants it because it’s another challenge for him. The way things are changing is very encouraging. It’s a new challenge.

The relationship with Jackie and Paul, and all the guys will be good. I feel I will be supported straight away. That support is very important. It focuses your mind much better when you go somewhere new. I’m looking forward to it very much.

I know the Ford people very well - I seem to have spent most of my career with the company for some reason! It’s not just an engine partner. You’ve got a lot of other resources within it, which hopefully can be used to help us. The team has got one of the Ford guys on board, and he’s a very knowledgeable guy. The whole thing is moving in a positive direction. I can’t wait!

With thanks to Johnny, LAT, Red Bull Sauber-Petronas and Autosport
This page prepared 7th November 1998. All rights reserved.