The 1999 San Marino Grand Prix
Imola, 30th April - 2nd May

TV screenshots

Sunday - race

Post-race e-mail from Johnny:

Dear All,

This weekend was very positive for me in so far as the performances on Saturday and Sunday morning and the rest shows that my pace is back to normal. Even though qualifying didn't go too well, after today's very promising race, I cannot wait for Monaco to confirm my pace in qualifying.

This leads me to the race. I opted for a one stop strategy because of  my lowly 12th place in qualifying and my judgement proved to be correct. The race was consistent. I tried hard to keep up with Damon and, although I came under pressure from Zanardi, this did not interfere with my race. After my one and only pit stop, I had to get into a   rhythm to get me into the points and that I achieved but, just as I was spending the bonus money in my mind, my engine gave up, as in the morning.

As I have said there are many positive points, if not bonus points, to take to Monaco, even after being so close and feeling very frustrated by losing points at Imola The engine situation at Monaco should be much better as the upgrade should solve our problem.

Johnny

Stewart-Ford notes and quotes

• Rubens Barrichello finished a superb third for the Stewart-Ford team after running in the top five throughout the race.
• Johnny Herbert retired with engine failure when in fifth place with three laps to go.
• The Stewart-Ford team leaves San Marino greatly encouraged by another weekend of running consistently in the top six.

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

"It was a shame I was unable to finish the race. Everything had been going well until then and we had no indication that the engine was about to fail. After a disappointing qualifying session I was looking for a  points finish today and was nearly there. Rubens' performance shows that we have improved our reliability and I believe things are looking good for Monaco."

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

"First of all, I want to dedicate this podium finish to my friend Ayrton Senna, wherever he may be. I'm obviously delighted, not just for me but for the mechanics and the whole Stewart-Ford team. The car ran faultlessly all weekend, and proves what progress we have made. We may not be a match for the McLarens and the Ferraris just yet, but I think we are proving ourselves the best of the rest."

Paul Stewart, SGP Deputy Chairman:

"Both Rubens and Johnny did a tremendous job. The strategy seemed to work out for both of them with Johnny on a one-stop strategy and Rubens on a two-stop strategy. Rubens held it together at the end when Damon Hill was catching him and did an outstanding job. It's also great for Rubens that he has done so wall at a circuit which before has held such unhappy memories. The result is a credit to everybody in the Stewart-Ford team."

Martin Whittaker, Director, Ford Racing, Europe:

"Rubens drove a fantastic race and rewarded everybody at Stewart Cosworth Racing, Ford and Visteon for all the hard work put in. The hot weather and punishing nature of the circuit place a premium on engine reliability, and we're obviously delighted that Rubens' car experienced no reliability problems throughout the weekend. Johnny's engine failure was a cruel blow so close to the finish. Nonetheless, the Stewart-Ford team has again proved its competitiveness."

Johnny's post-race comments to ITV's Louise Goodman:

LG: I don't believe you sometimes, Johnny - you go out three laps from the end and you're still chuckling.

JH: I suppose one of the positive things was that we didn't meet [during the race] this time! It was a shame though, it was going well. We did a one stop which, I think in my position, we had to to. I had a bit of a vibration early on but then [the engine] just suddenly went. there was no warning about it but... there you go. The good thing is that we have some new pieces coming along [for the car] very soon and we shouldn't have these problems [any more]. We had Rubens finish third, which was great for the team, so we're not far away.

LG: What is that Rubens' result going to mean for the team?

JH: The points are very important to the team but it's unfortunate, obviously, not having my points to add to those. It's good for the morale in the team. We've had some problems but I think we're going to overcome those very soon and, once we overcome them, we can do this consistently, hopefully."

Jackie Stewart's post-race comments to ITV's Louise Goodman:

LG: Well done, Jackie - you put it all together.

JYS: Well, third place in the third race of the year is obviously very satisfying. Rubens drove a great race - he was obviously under a lot of pressure at the end. We're very, very happy. A great result for Ford, a great result for HSBC and all our sponsors who have really had an immense amount of trust in us. It's a fantastic ending for a great weekend.

LG: But what about Johnny?

JYS: Oh so sad for Johnny. I'm really sad for him because he drove a great race, he would have finished fourth, I think.

Johnny's race

Johnny jumped from 12th on the grid to 10th during the first lap of the race. He was on a one stop strategy whilst most of the rest, including Rubens Barrichello, were stopping twice. When the pit stops unwound, by dint of that strategy, Johnny's strong performance and another high rate of attrition, Johnny was fifth and heading for two points. Unfortunately, three laps from the end of the 62 lap race, his Ford Cosworth engine grenaded. He was still classified in 10th place.

Race results

Saturday - qualifying

Stewart-Ford notes and quotes

• Rubens Barrichello qualified in sixth piece for the San Marino Grand Prix after being fifth for most of the session.
• Johnny Herbert will start tomorrow's race from 12th on the grid. The Stewart-Ford driver was sixth in this morning's practice but wasn't able to repeat his performance for qualifying.
• Despite the hottest weather the team has experienced this year, the two cars ran faultlessly throughout the day.

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

"I was not able to reproduce the times I did this morning which is difficult to understand because the car felt fine. I will say though that I know a bit more about the car's characteristics - I guess I just didn't use that information very well this afternoon. I'm expecting a strong race, it's just going to be a little more difficult from the grid position I'm in."

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

"I was quite aggressive on my last lap which was full of incidents. I hit the kerb quite hard at Rivazza and then the lap was further spoiled by a slower car. The best I could have managed today was a 1:27.3 which would have moved me up one place. Provided I make a good start and we run reliably, I expect to be in the points and hopefully finish on the podium."

Paul Stewart, SGP Deputy Chairman:

"The third row of the grid at Imola is note bad place to be starting from for Rubens. It would have been more satisfying to have both cars near the front of the gild. We were expecting that to be the case after what Rubens and Johnny achieved this morning. But it didn't work out for Johnny in qualifying, Nonetheless we have shown that our performance level has not dropped on since Brazil."

Martin Whittaker, Director, Ford Racing, Europe:

"Another solid performance from the Stewart-Ford team - once again illustrating the progress made since last season. We have been working hard to develop both driveability and reliability of the engine. Both drivers have commented on the improved driving performance of the engine and we hope for reliability in the race tomorrow."

Qualifying times (ITV):

Johnny's pre-qualifying comments on ITV:

"It's gone much better this morning, so that was good. It's taking me a little time - we've had so many damn problems. We had a load of problems yesterday so I lost the whole afternoon. We've had a good run today - seems as if it's a lot better. Hopefully, we can get both cars together up front and that will be good for everybody. From my point of view, I want to do it, I know I can do it, it was good this morning so it's a nice indication going into qualifying. Feeling good..."

Jackie Stewart: pre-qualifying Q&A on ITV

ITV: Rubens has described this as a key race for the team - do you see it that way too?

JYS: Well, it's the first European race; we've been competitive in Australia and also in Brazil, and now we've got to consolidate that. As the season goes on, we think the richer teams will be able to spend more on research and development to perhaps get the edge. So it's important for us to be competitive here, and we have our own plans now about getting performance improved.

ITV: Johnny seems confident for qualifying today - is that a change of mindset or has he made some improvements to the car?

JYS: Well, I think he's getting more used to the car. It's a brand new car to him, it's a brand new team to him. You don't go to a new school and just step in and expect the best performance from everyone including yourself. Johnny, I think, has had a tough time adjusting but I think he's doing very well. We're totally satisfied with what Johnny's doing. This morning, he was right on the pace. Now, for qualifying, let's hope both Rubens and Johnny can deliver.

Friday - Practice

Stewart-Ford notes and quotes

• Rubens Barrichello set the 9th fastest time during practice for the San Marino Grand Prix. The Brazilian completed a total of 28 laps mainly working on finding the right race set-up.
• Johnny Herbert was plagued by problems during the second session when his engine developed a water leak. He was also hampered by a fuel pressure problem which meant that the British driver was unable to get the best out of the car and ended the day in 18th position. He managed to do 21 laps.

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

"A very frustrating day. I felt like we were starting to make some progress on set-up but I didn't really get the chance to gauge exactly where we are relating to the others because of the problems I experienced in the second session. I need to get some running in tomorrow morning so that I can turn things around for qualifying."

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

"We made some changes to the set-up during the first session which seemed to be the right way to go. I think given the conditions, we are in a pretty good position after the first day. It's going to be tough to be in the top six for qualifying, but it's not out of the question if we find the right balance."

Paul Stewart, SGP Deputy Chairman:

"Johnny had quite a difficult time today with a fuel pressure problem. His times therefore were not a true reflection of what he feels he can achieve. We will address the situation before tomorrow to give him every chance of a solid qualifying performance. Rubens had a productive two sessions today working on race trim and is looking forward to qualifying tomorrow."

Nick Hayes, Formula One Programme Director, Cosworth Racing:

"Rubens got through a lot or work today learning much for the next two days. Johnny was once again unlucky when he effectively lost the majority of the afternoon session - first with a water leak and then with a fuel pressure problem. We will solve the problem in time for tomorrow's practice and qualifying sessions and give Johnny a chance to show his true form."

Times from first practice (F1Today)

Race Preview from Stewart-Ford

STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES

• The Stewart-Ford team completed three days of testing at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain last week in preparation for the San Marino Grand Prix. Both drivers produced times which placed them in the top 10 on the time sheets.
• Rubens' best finish at Imola was fifth in 1995 while Johnny's highest was seventh in 1995.

JOHNNY HERBERT, Car 17 (SF3-05)

"The atmosphere at Imola is fantastic with the noise and excitement generated by the tifosi. Imola has been kind to me - I have had some good races there over the years though perhaps not the results. I'm looking forward to this year's race more than previous years because the car should be suited to the circuit. In particular, I'm confident that the SF3 will handle the challenge of the numerous chicanes on the circuit layout. I think we can expect a strong result for me and the team."

RUBENS BARRICHELLO, Car 16 (SF3-04)

"Imola really is the big test for the team. We have been very competitive in the first two races of the season but now we have to prove we can keep it going Imola should provide a true indication of where we stand relative to other teams. I'm confident we can show that we are capable of doing well for the whole of the championship. Imola is a power circuit which is very hard on brakes, an area which we have improved dramatically this year. Though obviously I have some bad memories of Imola, I like the circuit and I'm looking forward to another good weekend."

GARY ANDERSON, SGP Technical Director

"Racing in Italy is real racing. The passion from the fans is unbelievable. If the Ferraris do well, the crowd go wild - if the Ferraris do badly, the crowd go home. The Jerez test was reasonably successful but the constant change in temperature and track conditions makes it difficult to achieve an optimum set-up. Nonetheless, we were able to work through a number of minor modifications which puts us in pretty good shape for Imola. We know the car has good brakes and good traction, so it should be suited to Imola which is a very good race track. We can expect that the Ferraris will be strong so close to home so competition for places at the front in qualifying is going to be quite tough."

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director Ford Racing Europe:

"The pace and form demonstrated by the Stewart-Ford SF3 in the Brazilian Grand Prix highlighted the overall improvement which the whole team has made over the winter months and we are looking forward to the chance of another strong showing this weekend at Imola. However, there are nevertheless reliability issues which need to be addressed and both Ford and Stewart Racing still have work to do in catching the opposition in terms of power and performance. At last week's Jerez test we worked successfully on a number or programmes to improve the engine driveability and everyone is working extremely hard to put the season's initial problems behind us as quickly as possible."

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Last updated 3rd May 1999