The 1999 European Grand Prix
24th - 26th September

TV Screenshots
[Warning - lots of them!!!]

Fans' messages of congratulations

Thanks from Bob Herbert

E-mail message received from Bob Herbert at 22:45hrs, 27th September:

To all of Johnny's Fans.
I am absolutely overwhelmed with the response to Johnny's fantastic win in Germany. The E/Mails, letters on the web site, faxes and phone calls. Thank you everyone for your loyal and continued support for Johnny. To see and hear the support from every corner of the world brings a lump to my throat.
It makes me very proud to see the response to Johnny's determination.
Thank you and regards
Bob Herbert

More on that fantastic win

Reuters, 26th September:  Johnny Herbert, all laughter and jokes after winning the European Grand Prix on Sunday, said two lucky charms had helped him give the Stewart team their first Formula One win. The popular driver from Essex, east of London, showed reporters two stones given to him by his Jamaican mechanic Ricky, one inscribed with the word "Jamaica" and the other with "Lucky."

"Before the race, I got all the mechanics together and we rubbed them," joked Herbert, whose win at the Nürburgring was the third in his career after two victories in 1995 with Benetton. 

It was the first for the team founded by former champion Jackie Stewart, in their third season in Formula One. Aside from the humour, Herbert said the real secrets of his success were hard graft and self-belief through what had until Sunday been a disappointing season for him.

"For me it's so satisfying because of the difficulties I've had. I've stuck to my guns. I believe in myself," he said. "I've always been someone who, when it's been tough, I've worked at it."     

Until Sunday's race, Herbert had only two points to show from the season - a fifth place finish in Canada - and had under-performed his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello.  Barrichello's fine performances have earned him a place at Ferrari next season while Herbert is staying on at the Ford-owned team that will become Jaguar next season as team mate to the incoming Eddie Irvine. Herbert, 35, believes his career is at last set on the right path.      

"I can do it when I put my mind to it. Next year is going to be my year. It's about time I had a trouble-free year," he said.

Herbert capitalized on mistakes and technical problems amongst the early leaders of Sunday's race to work his way up through the field from 14th on the grid. Some shrewd tyre changes amongst changeable wet-dry conditions also helped him on his way.  Herbert dedicated the winner's trophy to his wife, who helped him through what had been some difficult times since a career-threatening crash in 1988.

He has been classified in only five races this season and all but Canada were out of the top 10. He had a high-speed crash in testing before the season started and in July walked away from a spectacular spin when the rear wing of his Stewart collapsed at 345 kph during free practice for the German Grand Prix.

"I've had so much bad luck this season and it just can't go on like this," he said despairingly at the time.

On Sunday, Herbert was able to assure his eldest daughter that she wouldn't have to blame his poor performances on the car any more when she faced her classmates at school.

"Daddy won again, it's been a long time hasn't it?" he said to her in a brief phone call, slipped in between questions from the international media. "Now you can go and tell them... I'm the man."

Three times world champion Jackie Stewart said that the first Formula One victory by his team at Sunday's European Grand Prix was a new career high for him.

"This is undoubtedly the most important moment in my racing career," the Scot said after Johnny Herbert drove the Stewart-Ford to victory at the Nürburgring. "I have won grands prix, I have won world championships but to win as a constructor is the highest emotion imaginable," said Stewart, world champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973.

The win was the first for the Ford-owned team, but the 175th for a car powered by a Ford engine, and came with just two races left before the name of Stewart vanishes and is replaced by Jaguar - also owned by Ford - next season.

Stewart's son Paul, the team's chief operating officer, said that to win a race in only the team's third season in Formula One was a great achievement.

"Who would have thought that two cars running tartan and a father and son wearing tartan trousers could win a grand prix," he joked of the team's Scottish livery and uniforms.

Johnny's Lucky Charm

A lucky guess on Herbert's part over the choice of tyres at his first pit stop enabled him to make up ground in the middle of the race after starting from a lowly 14th position on the grid. Herbert said: 

'I saw a big black cloud coming not long before my pit stop and I figured it was going to rain quite heavily. I made the call for rain tyres and it made all the difference in the end because most of the other cars on the track at that stage were on grooves. It was a bit of a guess but I guessed right and it paid off. Sometimes you have to be lucky - but you have to make your luck and we made all the right decisions.'

Herbert also paid tribute to his crew, one of whom, supplied his own brand of lucky charm. 

'One of my mechanics, Ricky Taylor, a Jamaican, gave me two Jamaican lucky stones in the hope that my luck would change this weekend. I drove with the stones in my race overalls and it seemed to do the trick.'

'The guys did a fantastic job because it was very hectic in the pit lane with the weather changing so much. They got me in and out in good time. They've had to suffer a lot of heartache this season so this win is for them and the whole of the Stewart-Ford team every bit as much as it is for me.'

Sunday - race

Johnny Won!!!!!!!!!!!

STEWART-FORD NOTES & QUOTES

European Grand Prix: Race (67 laps). Weather: intermittent showers, sunny spells (ambient temperature15-20 deg C, track temperature 15 deg C)

Johnny Herbert claimed the first ever victory for the Stewart-Ford team in today's European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Rubens Barrichello added further points to the team's tally by finishing third. Johnny had started the race from 14th and Rubens 15th.

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05)

How do you feel about giving the Stewart-Ford team its first victory?

'I'm absolutely over the moon. It's particularly pleasing for Jackie since this is the last year the team will carry his name. It's also a fantastic result for Ford Motor Company because they showed a big commitment by purchasing the team earlier this year and have now stated their intention to win the World Championship with Jaguar Racing. A big credit also to my crew, Gary Anderson and my engineers - they did a great job.'

What was going through your mind when you were in the lead?

'I was just hoping and praying towards end that everything would hold together. I was able to relax a little since I had quite a gap down to Trulli. I was able to change the gears earlier and brake earlier and just concentrate on not putting too much strain on the car. After what was not a very good qualifying I had not expected to be top of the podium today. There is always an element of luck in a race and today was our day.'

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)

Another podium finish for you today?

'From the bottom of my heart I'm really happy for Johnny because he has had such a difficult time this season. However to be honest I have two hearts because even though I'm pleased for Johnny it would have been nice to have been the one to bring the Stewart-Ford team its first victory - particularly since this is my last season with them. But I don't want to take anything away from Johnny - he drove a really good race.'

You were close to claiming second place in the closing stages?

'I was trying so hard at the end to get past Trulli but just couldn't manage it. The only place I could overtake was at the Chicane but I had seen what had happened to Alesi and Irvine there and didn't want to risk too much.'

JACKIE STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Executive Officer

'Its difficult to describe how I feel. It's just tremendous for the whole team. This is undoubtedly the most important moment in my racing career. I have won Grands Prix, I have won World Championships, but to win as a Constructor is the highest emotion imaginable. The drivers made no mistakes at all. Our strategy was absolutely right. It was a complete team effort and every member of the team deserves equal praise. It is also a fitting reward for Ford and it justifies the confidence they have shown in us.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer

'To get a race win in less than three seasons is something the whole team can be justifiably proud of. Fortune may have been on our side somewhat but we did chose the right strategy - going with the hard tyres. The guys in the pit crew did an unbelievable job and we had two drivers who showed great commitment in tricky conditions. Who would have thought that two cars running tartan and a father and son wearing tartan trousers could win a Grand Prix.'

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director, Ford Racing, Europe

'Well done Johnny and Rubens and congratulations to everybody at Stewart Grand Prix, Cosworth Racing and Visteon. Ford's 175 Grand Prix victory is a phenomenal milestone and will serve as a great boost to everyone's confidence and morale for the future. We have all endured a very long spell without winning and everybody connected with Ford Motor Company can take credit for this victory. Johnny has stuck to his task throughout a difficult season and there could not have been a more popular winner today.'

Race Results from F1today:

Saturday - Qualifying

STEWART-FORD NOTES & QUOTES

Weather: rain initially, clear and dry towards the end of the session (ambient temperature 15ºC, track temperature 18ºC).

Johnny Herbert will start tomorrow's European Grand Prix from 14th position. He had to use the spare car after his race car developed an electrical problem on his first lap out of the pits. Rubens Barrichello qualified 15th.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Jordan) took pole position ahead of the McLarens of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen.

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-06)

Time: 1:21.379. Position: 14th

How difficult was it to qualify in the spare car?

'It was annoying to have the problem on my first out lap. The car simply died on me so I had to run back to the pits and get into the spare car. I found the throttle pedal on the spare car quite limp which took some getting used to.'

Could you have gone quicker at the end of the session as the circuit was drying?

'I missed out on getting in another lap before the end of the session by a couple of seconds. I came up behind one of the Arrows heading in to the straight and got round him with the light still green. However as I crossed the line I looked up to see the red light. It was a shame because we made a set-up change before my final run and the car felt much better over the kerbs and I'm sure I could have improved my time.'

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)

Time: 1:21.490. Position: 15th

You must be frustrated by starting tomorrow's race from so far back?

'It was an eventful session. I was a hero for the first half an hour when I was quickest in the wet but by the end I finished 15th, so I haven't made things easy for the race. I caught traffic on my last flying lap which didn't help because my target was the top eight. We decided to go for just one long run at the end. In hindsight the strategy didn't work because just when I had the tyres working I found myself without a clear track.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer

'There are good and bad days in Formula One and today was a bad one for us, culminating in our low grid positions. The weather made it a bit of a lottery for everybody, and we were one of the teams that came out worse. Both Rubens and Johnny were held up on their last flying laps which prevented us from improving our qualifying performance.'

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director, Ford Racing, Europe

'We had obviously hoped for better today. The result is even harder to bear knowing they are our worst qualifying positions this year. Both drivers had a difficult afternoon and Johnny's wasn't helped by having to qualify in the spare car.'

Qualifying times from Atlas:

1. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:19.910 205.251 kmph 
2. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:20.176 + 0.266 
3. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:20.376 + 0.466 
4. R. Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:20.444 + 0.534 
5. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:20.638 + 0.728 
6. Fisichella Benetton Supertec 1:20.781 + 0.871 
7. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:20.818 + 0.908 
8. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:20.825 + 0.915 
9. Irvine Ferrari 1:20.842 + 0.932 
10. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:20.965 + 1.055 
11. Wurz Benetton Supertec 1:21.144 + 1.234 
12. Salo Ferrari 1:21.314 + 1.404 
13. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:21.345 + 1.435 
14. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:21.379 + 1.469 
15. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:21.490 + 1.580 
16. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:21.634 + 1.724 
17. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:22.267 + 2.357 
18. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:22.284 + 2.374 
19. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:22.631 + 2.721 
20. Gene Minardi Ford 1:22.760 + 2.850 
21. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:23.401 + 3.491 
22. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:23.698 + 3.788

Friday - practice

Friday Press Conference

Q: Jackie, you and Jaguar made an important announcement last week. Is that much more than just a name change?

" It is a complete change of ownership. Ford Motor Company bought 100 per cent of Stewart Grand Prix, as an entity, and therefore that is a significant change. We made it with our eyes completely open. We saw the necessity for further investment, which has already been made, to facilitate our plans for next year and the year after. The purpose of the sale was to be able to advance to the next level in F1, which we hope one day will allow us to take on Mr Haug's and Mr Todt's teams at the front. As Jaguar's parent company, Ford wants to win. The Jaguar livery on the car for the year 2000 is the identity which the Ford people feel is best suited to their commercial needs. And as of the year 2000 it will be Jaguar Racing. I think it is a wonderful choice of product, and a very good fit."

Q: What will be your position at Jaguar, and your son Paul's?

"Paul will be Chief Operating Officer. That is an American term, the equivalent of Managing Director. I am presently Chairman of the company, and its Chief Executive Officer. I will continue to be that until I feel otherwise. When we were still negotiating, I told [Ford President] Jac Nasser that I would agree to stay on as long as I felt comfortable. We are now in the transitional period, which will in my view will go on for a minimum of 12 to 16 months. I fully expect to continue doing the job I have been doing until I consider it feasible for me to perhaps take less of a day-to-day responsibility in the management of the team. As you will know, the media have speculated about the possibility of management changes, or of all sorts of people coming in. But at no time has that ever been discussed at senior management level within Ford. Ever. That was all speculation - or possibly certain people being ambitious - but it was never going to be the case."

STEWART-FORD NOTES & QUOTES

Weather: sunny (ambient temperature 19ºC, track temperature 25ºC)

Rubens Barrichello finished seventh in today's Free Practice for Sunday's European Grand Prix. Johnny Herbert was 13th fastest.

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05)

Time: 1:21.982. Position: 13th. 39 laps.

What programme did you focus on today?

'We did a lot of work on race set-up and the car feels reasonably good on heavy fuel. I was struggling with understeer which is always the case here so I wasn't able to attack as much I would have liked. Obviously we need to dial out much of that understeer for qualifying tomorrow. I'm not too disheartened over my position today.'

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)

Time: 1:21.505. Position: 7th. 34 laps.

Where do you need to find improvement for tomorrow?

'So far it's not looking too bad but we definitely have to find more speed for qualifying. The car was a little inconsistent. We started the day well but we seemed to get a little confused on set-up. I was able to use the kerbs as I wanted this morning but the car became unstable as the session went on. It's so important to be able to attack the kerbs here so that's something we need to work on tonight.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer

'We didn't make the progress we had hoped for today. We evaluated both sets of tyres to try and get a direction for tomorrow but there's some work to be done yet on our best set-up option for qualifying. We need to get back on the pace we had at the start of practice today.'

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director, Ford Racing, Europe

'We had a trouble-free day with the Series 3 engines during which we continued our work on optimising the engine for the circuit lay out and we are satisfied with the progress made so far.'

Practice times from Atlas:

1. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:20.758 203.096 kmph 
2. Salo Ferrari 1:20.920 + 0.162 
3. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:21.134 + 0.376 
4. Irvine Ferrari 1:21.338 + 0.580 
5. R.Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:21.385 + 0.627 
6. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:21.461 + 0.703 
7. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:21.505 + 0.747 
8. Fisichella Benetton Supertec 1:21.636 + 0.878 
9. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:21.750 + 0.992 
10. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:21.850 + 1.092 
11. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:21.884 + 1.126 
12. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:21.933 + 1.175 
13. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:21.982 + 1.224 
14. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:22.207 + 1.449 
15. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:22.311 + 1.553 
16. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:22.321 + 1.563 
17. Wurz Benetton Supertec 1:22.427 + 1.669 
18. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:22.462 + 1.704 
19. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:22.853 + 2.095 
20. Gene Minardi Ford 1:22.872 + 2.114 
21. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:23.604 + 2.846 
22. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:24.282 + 3.524

Race Preview from Stewart-Ford

STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES

A busy week for the Stewart-Ford team began with the official announcement at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday that the team will become Jaguar Racing for 2000. Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert were confirmed as the drivers for next season. On Wednesday and Thursday, Herbert completed two days of testing at Magny Cours. Despite heavy rain on Wednesday, Herbert completed a full test programme in preparation for the European Grand Prix.

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05)

What are your aspirations for the weekend?

‘The test at Magny Cours last week was very fruitful. We were on the pace of the front runners which was encouraging. We have also identified where I lost time in Monza. Basically we suffered a drop-off in downforce from Saturday morning to qualifying. We worked on some modifications to rectify the problem in testing and I am confident of being in much better shape this weekend than I was in Monza.’

What are you thoughts on Jaguar’s foray into F1 next year?

‘I think it’s fantastic to have such a high-profile, famous racing marque in F1. From the team’s point of view we will be a truly British effort with two British drivers, Eddie and myself, and British racing green on the car. Jaguar have had great success in Sports Cars and there is no reason why we can’t achieve similar success in Formula One particularly with input from Cosworth and building on the foundations the team has already laid.’

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)

What are the characteristics of the Nürburgring circuit?

‘Nürburgring has a lot to offer. It is a good combination of low speed corners and faster third and fourth gear corners. The ITT-bogen curve is one of the most exhilarating. From the 180mph approach, you sweep round at 165 mph. By contrast, at Dunlop Kurve you’re hard on the brakes down to second gear and 50 mph. Cars experience a lot of understeer at Nürburgring so it’s important to have the front of the car working well to cope with that. The SF3 works well in high downforce so I am confident of a good result.’

What experiences do you have of Nürburgring’s fickle weather?

‘The weather is so unpredictable. Because of the mountains surrounding the track, the rain can appear without warning. A few years ago I was rounding the final turn heading for the main straight in brilliant sunshine. Next thing some damp spots landed on my visor, the sun disappeared – it was snowing.'

PAUL STEWART, Stewart-Ford Chief Operating Officer

‘It is imperative that we consolidate our fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship with another solid performance this weekend. Our target must be to pick up points in the three remaining races of the 1999 season. This is the first Grand Prix since the announcement that Stewart-Ford will be renamed Jaguar Racing next year. While our efforts are focused on the present, we are all excited about the future.’

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director, Ford Racing, Europe

‘During last week's two days test at the Magny Cours circuit in France we completed a variety of engine system development work and completed a very tough reliability test. In terms of performance our times at the test were encouraging, and, coupled with our promising result from the Italian Grand Prix at Monza two weeks ago, we are confident that we can remain competitive at the Nürburgring.’

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Last updated 28th April 2002