The 1999 Canadian Grand Prix
11th-13th June

TV screenshots

Sunday - race

Stewart-Ford Notes & Quotes

• Johnny Herbert finished his first race for the Stewart-Ford team in a strong fifth place after en eventful race. His performance added another two points to the Stewart-Ford team's tally and consolidated the team's sixth position in the Championship.
• Rubens Barrichello retired from the race after sustaining damage to his car following an accident in the first corner on the first lap. The Brazilian did go into the pits for the Stewart-Ford team to inspect the car and repair the damaged body work but ended his race on lap 14 us the car became undriveable.

Johnny Herbert, Car No.17 (SF3-03):

How does it feel to to claim your first points finish for the Stewart-Ford team?

"I'm delighted to finish my first Grand Prix of the year and to come away with two points is a bonus. It's been quite a weekend for the whole team - with the announcement that Ford has acquired the team and Jackie's 60th birthday. I'm really pleased for my crew. They did another great job but this time they have been rewarded."

Describe Eddie Irvine's overtaking manoeuvre to take fifth from you towards the end of the race?

"I kept him at bay for a few laps but when we came to the chicane I thought he was too far beck to make a passing move. When he went down the inside he was going in too quickly to make the chicane. I had to steer away to avoid him and we both went through the grass. It was a good battle while it lasted. I was able to keep a gap between us in me slower corners on braking but it's a shame I couldn't hold him off."

Rubens Barrichello, Car No.16 (SF3-04):

Describe what happened in the first corner?

"I was braking hard to avoid Coulthard coming into turn one when I was hit by Trulli in the Prost. It was a pretty big impact - it even took a piece out of my helmet. I think it was a dangerous move at that specific part of the circuit."

What caused your eventual retirement?

"Because or the accident the car was completely out of shape. There was a big problem with the steering column because the car was pulling to the left. I tried to carry on but the car was undriveable. The way things turned out I could have been in the points again. Montreal has always been good to me but not this time."

Gary Anderson, Technical Director, Stewart-Ford:

"A bit or over aggressive driving at the start by another driver cost us chance of a good finish for Rubens. We are pleased for Johnny, he drove a really hard race and was pushing when he needed to at the end. The safety car probably did us a few favours in the race but the two points are well deserved."

Neil Ressler, Vice-President, Research & Vehicle Technology, Ford

"We am extremely pleased with Johnny's first race finish for the Stewart-Ford team - and for him to score two points makes it even more special. The engines performed faultlessly throughout the weekend and Johnny's performance today illustrated that all the work put in to improve reliability is paying off."

Johnny finishes at last - and in the points!

At long last Johnny finished a race for Stewart-Ford. He finished fifth and scored two points - the first for the team under Ford's ownership. Johnny had to work hard for his points and richly deserved them. Early in the race he was pushing former team-mate, Heinz-Harald Frentzen for 7th after starting in 10th. He then grabbed a place from Sauber's Pedro Diniz after the Safety Car returned to the pits. He then held off a hard charging Eddie Irvine for several laps as the Northern Irishman was fighting his way back up the field following a coming together with David Coulthard. In the closing laps, Diniz was giving Johnny a tough time for sixth but Johnny strongly resisted and retained the place. When Frentzen crashed heavily towards the end of the race, Johnny moved up to fifth. What a relief!

Race results

Warm up times

Johnny was third quickest in the morning warm up, just behind Rubens Barrichello. The two Stewart-Fords split the McLarens, were quicker than both Ferraris, and should be right on the pace during the race. Times from the RTL TV coverage:

Saturday - qualifying

Stewart-Ford Notes & Quotes

• Rubens Barrichello will start Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix in fifth place- the Brazilian's fifth top six qualifying performance in 1999.
• Johnny Herbert qualified tenth - equaling his best qualifying performance this year.

Johnny Herbert, Car No.17 (SF3-03):

Why was your qualifying performance today better than recently?

"I'm definitely getting there. I feel like its going to click into place for me soon. I'm still losing time and traction during the lap. I found an improvement in the car from yesterday and this morning by making a set-up change aimed at improving stability."

What are the prospects for the race?

"The race will be tight. We are all on the same tyres and probably the strategy so the start will be crucial. I'm confident of a good finish."

Rubens Barrichello, Car No.16 (SF3-04):

What did you change on the car to improve your performance from this morning?

"We changed the set-up between practice and qualifying which enabled the car to handle the kerbs much better. It made the car friendlier to drive and faster. I was very happy with my fastest lap. However, I reckon I could have gone even faster. I was following Irvine's Ferrari but we were slowed by the yellow flag on our flying laps."

What are your prospects for the race?

"They are very good. I like this circuit and we have done well here in the past. We still have a slight worry for the race with brake cooling on a heavy fuel load but every other team will have the same problem."

Gary Anderson, Technical Director, Stewart-Ford:

"From an overall team point of view this was a very pleasing qualifying performance. Rubens was once again right behind the McLarens and Ferraris and Johnny has found a bit extra which is encouraging for him. In fact, this is the closest Rubens has been to the McLarens all year. The car has performed well, particularly in these conditions. The track was very hot out there today. We must now keep it tight and clean in the race in order to pick another points finish."

Neil Ressler, Vice-President, Research & Vehicle Technology, Ford

"This is a most encouraging performance in qualifying for the Stewart-Ford team's first Grand Prix under Ford ownership. Both cars ran faultlessly throughout the day and since we have a good track record in Canada - the closest thing Ford has to a home Grand Prix - we are looking forward to a strong race tomorrow."

Qualifying times from F1Today

Friday - practice

Stewart-Ford Notes & Quotes

• Rubens Barrichello was 10th fastest after today's practice sessions for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix. The Brazilian spun off on the last lap. He completed 28 laps.
• Johnny Herbert set the 16th fastest time after completing 40 laps. He didn't go out on new tyres.
• The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is bumpy and notoriously hard on brakes.

Johnny Herbert, Car No.17 (SF3-03):

Did you experience any brake problems?

"This circuit is known for being hard on brakes. When I came in after my first run in the morning session my brakes looked hot with a lot of smoke coming out and a really bad smell. We made a slight change to the brake duct and it was fine after that."

What are  your prospects for Saturday's qualifying?

"It's going to be difficult. If everything is working well both cars will be in the top eight. Personally I want to be close to Rubens. That is where I should be and I will do everything I can to make sure that I am."

Rubens Barrichello, Car No.16 (SF3-04):

What caused you to spin on the last lap of the second session?

"I was struggling with my braking throughout both sessions. The spin was a result of the brakes locking."

Are you happy with today's practice?

"I'm reasonably happy with the progress we have made. I think there is still a lot of time left in the car."

What are  your prospects for Saturday's qualifying?

"We have run well at Montreal for the past two years and I'm confident that we can qualify near the front of the grid, providing we can find a good balance."

Jackie Stewart, SGP Chairman:

"Historically Montreal is a supreme test of brakes and powertrains. On more than one occasion cars have run out of brakes completely. Aerodynamics also play a big part in a car's performance here. The fast straights usually mean less wing while, at the same time, the track is full of corners which require downforce. It's a very delicate balance. In today's two practice sessions we have not achieved the optimum set-up for such conditions, but we expect much improved times from both drivers tomorrow."

Martin Whittaker, Director, Ford Racing, Europe

"Today is a very special day for Ford Motor Company - me first time that the Stewart-Ford team has run under the company's ownership. The reaction to yesterday's announcement from all those within the team and all our partners has been overwhelmingly positive. We experienced no technical problems throughout the day and are looking to build on this performance for tomorrow's practice and qualifying."

Practice times from F1Today

Race Preview from Stewart-Ford

STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES

• Jackie Stewart will celebrate his 60th birthday this Friday, 11th June. The 1978 Canadian Grand Prix was Jackie's last competitive race before he announced his retirement at the end of the season having clinched his third world drivers' championship. He competed in seven Canadian Grands Prix, the first in 1967. He won the race in 1971 arid 1972, both times at the wheel of a Tyrrell-Ford.
• The Stewart-Ford team completed three days of testing at Silverstone last week in preparation for this weekend's race. The team was pleased with the progress made with aerodynamic and suspension modifications to the SF3.

JOHNNY HERBERT, Car 17 (SF3-05):

"I like the Montreal track a lot. It's not a difficult circuit to learn, but it's not always easy to be quick there because it's a mix of fast straights, slow comers and hairpins and set-up is crucial. It's always a bit of a trade off where downforce is concerned. You need to have a small amount of wing for the straights but equally you need sufficient grip for the slower sections. I find the track very challenging - it has bit of everything. Testing last week went well - in between showers - and I'm looking forward to a good weekend."

RUBENS BARRICHELLO, Car 16 (SF3-04):

"My results with the Stewart-Ford team have been very good in Montreal. I qualified third in 1997 and finished fifth in the race last year so, with the improvement in performance we have made this season, I will be looking for another good qualifying position, The circuit is notoriously hard on brakes but that is one of the areas where the SF3 has been impressive this season. The car's traction, vital for the slower corners at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, is also very good. Barcelona was disappointing but we made gains in testing at Silverstone last week where we did some running in Montreal race trim and I'm confident we will able to mount a strong challenge for points."

JACKIE STEWART, SGP Chairman:

"The Canadian Grand Prix is a significant event for the Stewart-Ford team as it is currently the only race in North America where so many of our partner-sponsors are either based or have a major presence. The team has performed well in Montreal previously, with Rubens qualifying third on the grid in 1997 and having both cars in the points with fifth and sixth place finishes in 1998. Hopefully the circuit will suit the latest version of our car - the SF3. We are confident following last week's Silverstone test that we have made a significant improvement to the car which should enable us to maintain our push for world championship points in Canada. I have won twice in Canada (1971 & 1972) and I have a long affinity with the event because for many years the Grand Prix weekend has coincided with my birthday. This year it is rather an important one."

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director Ford Racing Europe:

"Until next year's Indianapolis race, Montreal is the closest Grand Prix to Ford's world headquarters in Dearborn, Detroit, so there is always an added incentive for the Stewart-Ford team to do well. A lot of Senior Ford Executives will be in Montreal to see the Stewart-Ford team in operation and help Jackie celebrate his 60th birthday."

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Last updated 13th June 1999