The 1999 French Grand Prix
25th-27th June

Sunday - race

Stewart-Ford Notes & Quotes

• Rubens Barrichello finished third in the French Grand Prix equaling the Stewart-Fords team's best performance this year. The Brazilian led the race for a total of 45 laps out of 72 after starting from the team's first ever pole position.
• Johnny Herbert retired after only four laps with gearbox problems.
• Rubens' third place puts him in eighth position in the Driver's Championship with 10 points. The Stewart-Ford team is sixth in the constructors' championship with 12 points.
• The race started in dry conditions but torrential rain brought out the safety car on lap 24 for 11 laps. The rain began again with eight laps remaining.

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

When did you realise that you had a gearbox problem?

"I was half way through the first lap when I lost second gear. After a few more laps I lost the other gears and the only option left was to cruise back to the pits and watch the rest of the race from there."

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

Another great performance in an incident-packed race. Pole Position and another podium finish, you must be pleased with your weekend?

"I enjoyed the race tremendously. To be leading again like I did in Brazil was a great feeling. At one point things were working in my favour with David (Coulthard) stopping early on and other people retiring in the conditions, I suddenly thought 'this is going to be my day'. I knew I had to make a second stop towards the end so I was concentrating on conserving fuel but there was so much going on that I had to tell myself to keep pushing as well, it was a bit of a balancing act. I had some really good, clean battles out there with Mika (Hakkinen) and Michael (Schumacher). In a strange way I have a tinge of disappointment because with a little luck with the fuel I could have been on the top step today."

How bad were the conditions during the heavy downpour?

"It was very tricky. There was a lot of water lying on the track surface. I was aquaplaning quite a bit and just trying to keep it clean and tight. I was glad when the pace car came out. I could see the pace car driver was having real trouble holding it on the road, so you can imagine what it was like for us. At one point I really thought he was going to lose it. Even when it began to dry a little there was plenty of water around."

Paul Stewart, Deputy Chairman, SGP:

"It was an excellent drive from Rubens and a great performance from the whole Stewart-Ford team. For us once again to have led a race is an important step and the strategy we chose and our response to the changing conditions showed excellent team work. We knew we had to do a second pit-stop for fuel towards the end of the race and Rubens did brilliantly to hold off Michael Schumacher claiming third when he re-joined the race."

Martin Whitaker, Director, Ford Racing, Europe:

"Everybody's hard work throughout the weekend paid off today when Rubens drove a fantastic race in very difficult conditions. He led the race for more laps than anybody else - illustrating that we were quick in both wet and dry conditions. We changed the fuel mixture during the race to preserve fuel to allow us continue to run as the conditions dried but when it began to rain again with eight laps left we brought Rubens in for his second pit-stop."

Race results from F1Today

Saturday - qualifying

Stewart-Ford Notes & Quotes

• Rubens Barrichello gave the Stewart-Ford team their first pole position. He was one of the few drivers to go out early when conditions were less treacherous. He also set the fastest time in the morning's free practice in dry conditions.
• Johnny Herbert qualified in ninth place - his best qualifying performance this year.

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

What was your strategy for qualitying?

"Most teams seemed to have used the same weather man who predicted it was going to clear up towards the end of the session. We decided to wait and then do 12 laps in one go to take advantage of what we thought were going to be drying conditions. However as the session wore on it became obvious the rain was going to continue so we had to make set-up changes which took some time."

Why did vou change to the spare car after a few laps?

I set my fastest time in the race car and was going to stay out. My race car developed a problem with the electronics so I had to go back and get in the spare car. Unfortunately it had a lower set-up than the race car which was no good in today's conditions."

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

How does it feel to record the second pole position of your Formula One career?

"I'm so happy for everyone in the team. I was confident after being fastest this morning and when the rain came for qualifying I felt that would give me an edge. Everyone has worked so hard, we knew we had a good car this year and days like today prove that we can compute with the best."

Your timing was perfect. Why did you decide to go out when you did?

I thought it was best to get a time in the bank because my information was that the weather would deteriorate. When I saw Jean Alessi go out so early I said to the crew 'let's go', it worked in my favour because the rain persisted. When I went out again late in the session for another run the track was so wet I knew that my time couldn't be beaten. The forecast is for more rain tomorrow, so if I can have a clean race, I'd love to deliver a win for the Stewart-Ford team."

Paul Stewart, Deputy Chairman, SGP:

"A team's first pole position is always very special. I'm extremely happy for Rubens and everybody in the Stewart-Ford team who have been aiming for this for a long time. I arrived it Magny Cours confident that we would put in a good performance whether it was wet or dry. However it seems we had an edge in the wet and chose the right strategy. I'm sure Johnny would have been up there with Rubens if he had been able to stay out in his race car."

Martin Whitaker, Director, Ford Racing, Europe:

"We are absolutely delighted with the Stewart-Ford team's first pole position. This is Ford's 139th pole position - a record unequalled by any other manufacturer - and our first since the Japanese Grand Prix in 1994. Everybody has worked hard throughout the weekend and even though we chose the correct strategy for qualifying when, Rubens went out early, our potential was underlined in this morning's Free Practice where Rubens was fastest as well."

Qualifying times from F1Today

Friday - practice

Stewart-Ford Notes & Quotes

• Rubens Barrichello was eighth fastest after today's practice sessions for Sunday's French Grand Prix. He completed 20 laps.
• Johnny Herbert set the 10th fastest time after completing 24 laps. The Brit, who celebrates his 35th birthday today, spun off on the circuit halfway through the second session but managed to continue his run.

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

There were quite a few cars going off today, what do you put that down to?

"The tyre degradation was severe and the track surface was quite slippery. I had a moment myself during the second session when I damaged a rim. In conditions like these you have to really look after the tyres. You can see from the times some drivers did on new tyres that there is a big difference in performance levels."

Where can you pick up time tomorrow?

"I experienced a bit of understeer turning in and the car was a little twitchy on exit under power. We will concentrate further tomorrow on getting the car balanced. I'm not too concerned about finishing where I did because it looks like qualifying is going to be very close."

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

How were the track conditions today compared to the test here last week?

"The conditions are very different and I think everyone is suffering quite a bit. There was a lot of cross wind around today which affected the handling of the car, particularly in the slower sections of the circuit. There were a lot of buffeting at times"

What set-up work did you concentrate on today?

"I was working on getting the right balance in case we have similar conditions for the rest of the weekend. I'm reasonably happy with the progress we have made and feel confident there is more to come tomorrow in time for qualifying."

Gary Anderson, Technical Director,  SGP:

"We're pretty happy with the work we completed today. There is no doubt that getting the best out of the tyres will be the key to a good race here. Like a lot of the other teams we restricted our running this morning in order to preserve rubber."

Martin Whitaker, Director, Ford Racing, Europe:

'We have experienced no problems today. During the test last week we introduced some new software to improve the driveability of the engine. This has helped us respond well to the changes in track conditions from the test.'

Practice times from F1Today

Race Preview from Stewart-Ford

STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES

• The team is in buoyant mood after the positive results of three days of testing at Magny-Cours last week. Both drivers worked through a programme which included set-up evaluation and tyre comaprisons in preparation for this weekend's race. Both recorded competitive lap times putting them in the top six on the time sheets. The SF3 ran at an impressive pace in race-style simulation runs.

JOHNNY HERBERT, Car 17 (SF3-05):

What has your fifth place in Canada done for your confidence?

"It's  relaxed me quite a bit because I was frustrated at not finishing a race. Getting two points under my belt has given me the confidence to attack qualifying in a positive frame of mind. I'll definitely be aiming to add to my points tally this weekend."

Is Magny Court a circuit which is hard to tame?

"Looking at my record I would say yes. I've only had one point in seven races there so I'm desperate to put that right. The results have never worked in my favour so I have I real desire to beat it and beat it I will."

RUBENS BARRICHELLO, Car 16 (SF3-04):

What are your objectives for the weekend?

"I'm hoping for a longer race in Francs than I had in Montreal. My aim is to keep up my average or better in qualifying. Obviously we have proven that we are competitive but we haven't come away half as many points as we should have done. I'm keen to mix it with the Ferraris and McLarens again in the race. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be challenging for the podium if we run a reliable race.

What makes the circuit challenging from a driver's perspective?

"Tyres are a big issue at Magny Cours. As a driver you are conscious of looking after tyres in a race by not throwing the car around too much. Because of the mix or high speed corners and chicanes the car changes direction quite a lot so you are always busy in the cockpit. Staying smooth and getting the balance of the car right for the circuit layout are the keys to a quick lap."

GARY ANDERSON, SGP Technical Director:

"Aerodynamics are crucial for Magny Cours. The circuit is characterised by fast carriers and high speed chicanes which the car should be suited to. We made a real step forward at the Magny Cours test because we were able run the sort of mileage which gave us a chance to correctly evaluate tyres. The pace we were able to sustain over longer distances bodes well for the race. Overall, it's pleasing that we have maintained our early season momentum in qualifying and we haven't dropped off the pace of the front runners. In fact, we closed the gap to the McLarens in Canada. What we are aiming to do now is push ahead and challenge for the front row in Magny Cours."

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director Ford Racing Europe:

"In preparation for the French Grand Prix, the Stewart-Ford team completed a three day test session at Magny Cours. from Wednesday June 16th until Friday June 18th. which provided plenty of useful data and gave us an opportunity to work on set-ups for the race. The pace of both Rubens and Johnny throughout the test gave an indication of the ever improving performance of the team. We experienced no problems and are looking forward to another points scoring finish."

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Last updated 27th June 1999