Belgian Grand Prix 2000
Spa, 25th-27th August

Race

Jaguar Racing Press Release, 27th August 2000: An exciting Belgian Grand Prix ended with Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine finishing in eighth and 10th places respectively. The race began behind the safety car after heavy rain in the morning had soaked the track. A few laps into the race the track began so dry triggering a succession of early pit stops as everyone bar Sauber’s Pedro Diniz had started on wet weather tyres. The rain stayed away for the remainder of the race enabling the field to remain on grooved tyres to the chequered flag.

Johnny's comments: 

"It was an enjoyable race but unfortunately I was on my own most of the time so wasn’t actually racing with anybody apart from when Mika Salo was catching me at the end. It's been a much better weekend for me. I had
good Friday Free Practice to finish in the top three and I felt that I was on the pace consistently. 

"The only disappointment was qualifying just outside the top six because as things turned out, I could have been challenging for points today. I still want to bring points to the team before the year is out."

Eddie's comments: 

"The balance of the car was very good in the warm-up this morning and I felt that if it stayed wet we were in good shape. However, once the track began to dry after the start and we changed from wet to grooved tyres, some of that balance went away. I gained a couple of places from my starting position but we would have had to rely on a few of the front runners to slip up to gain any more the way the race panned out. 

"I think we gelled better as a team this weekend than we have all year which is very pleasing."

Jaguar-Racing, 27th August: At the start of the year a ninth place might have been seen as a disappointment, but the field is so competitive now that such a result in qualifying is not easy to find. The fact that Johnny Herbert out-qualified the Ferrari of former Stewart team-mate Rubens Barrichello for the first time was a nice bonus, even if the Brazilian did not have the best of days.

"It was a nice performance," said Jackie Stewart. "He did a good job, and he's been consistent all weekend. He might have got a little more out of it, but not much. I think he should be perfectly happy with himself as he's in the top 10. It's nice for him."

For technical director Gary Anderson it was a reasonably satisfying day, even if the second car of Eddie Irvine was 0.643s off Johnny's pace.

"I think Johnny's been on top of it all weekend," said Gary, "but Eddie hasn't quite caught up yet. Johnny's last run wasn't so good, but apart from that he's happy with it. The car is very driveable. Eddie needed to pick up some speed in the middle of the lap."

Tyres were a major talking point during the day, and will remain so on race day, when the high wear rate of Bridgestone's Soft compound could play an important role in the outcome of the race.

"I think it's going to be significant. In the past here most people have done two stops, and they're not bad over that length of time. Usually the tyres have less degradation if you just keep running them, as opposed to during practice when you're stopping and starting all the time, and have problems getting temperature into them. This is a circuit where a heavy fuel load is a big penalty, because of the gradients here." 

Race results

AtlasF1, 27th August: 

1. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1H28:14.494 
2. M Schumacher Ferrari + 1.100 
3. R Schumacher Williams BMW + 38.000 
4. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes + 43.200 
5. Button Williams BMW + 49.900 
6. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda + 55.900 
7. Villeneuve BAR Honda + 1:12.300 
8. Herbert Jaguar Cosworth + 1:27.800 
9. Salo Sauber Petronas + 1:28.600 
10. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth + 1:31.500 
11. Diniz Sauber Petronas + 1:34.100 
12. Zonta BAR Honda + 1 Lap 
13. Wurz Benetton Playlife + 1 Lap 
14. Gene Minardi Fondmetal + 1 Lap 
15. Verstappen Arrows Supertec + 1 Lap 
16. de la Rosa Arrows Supertec + 2 Laps 
17. Mazzacane Minardi Fondmetal + 2 Laps 

Morning warm up times

GaleForceF1, 27th August:

The best speeds in each sector were:

S1: Herbert - 311kph
S2: Herbert - 177kph
S3: Herbert - 253kph

Qualifying

Jaguar Racing Press Release, 26th August 2000: After a hot qualifying session in Spa. Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine will start tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix from ninth and 12 positions on the grid.

Johnny comments: 

"It feels good to be in the top 10. It’s a bit of a shame that, after running in seventh and eighth for most of the session, I got pipped down to ninth, at the last minute, but overall I'm happy with my performance so far this weekend. We're up against the big boys so have to improve a lot to compete but we have made a step forward here. The race tomorrow is going to be tough. Tyre degradation is a real problem but I’m happy with the race set-up we found at the end of yesterday’s session so it could be a good race for us and hopefully I can get to the end of it with points."

Eddie's comments: 

"I only managed one quick lap during the session. On my first run I was held up by a couple of Cars on slow down laps and on the final run, like a few others, I was the Victim of Jean Alesi’s spin when I had to slow for yellow flags. I guess that’s the price we all pay for leaving it late. In truth, I may have been able to snatch a few tenths here or there but that wouldn't have elevated me too much. I've been struggling all weekend with a big imbalance with the car which has meant I've had to battle with understeer in the slow speed corners. As usual, anything can happen in the race here, so maybe I can cash in."

Gary Anderson, Technical Director Jaguar Racing: 

"Johnny did a very competent job today. We made a set-up change for his last run hoping it would move us into the top six but it didn’t improve the car at all. I think he can expect to run a good race. With Michael and DC down the order little and an unfamiliar look to the top three, the start could be very interesting. Our starts have improved over the past few races so I would expect Johnny to be mixing it at the front end. Eddie has been playing catch-up all weekend and hasn’t been comfortable with the car at any stage. Maybe the weather gods will smile on him tomorrow."

Ananaova, 26th August: Johnny Herbert marked his last-ever Formula One qualifying session at his favourite Spa Francorchamps track in Belgium by grabbing ninth place on the grid.

"I'm happy with ninth, and I'm happy with my performance," smiled the Romford-born racer after guiding his Jaguar into the top half of the field for the start of Sunday's race.

"It was a shame that it wasn't seventh or eighth, which is roughly where we should have been, but then we're up against teams that have been performing better than us all year.

"We have made progress, we have got closer - we're still not close enough but we have moved a little bit forward. The latest engine has worked well for us here. We've had a slightly different car here, a bit different at the back aerodynamically. It was hard for me to tell what difference it made because I hadn't tried it in testing before we came here."

Herbert, who will quit F1 and head across the Atlantic at the end of this season, continued: 

"This year we've had problems setting up the car, and getting the car to work. If you don't have the car right you're in trouble. Unfortunately this is my last Spa, and I've never been able to get Eau Rouge flat! There was one lap with a tiny ease, but it wasn't genuine metal-to-metal. We made a change for that run, and it made it a bit worse unfortunately."  

Jaguar-Racing, 26th August: Before the qualifying hour Johnny Herbert was looking forward to a good session. 

"I'm happy with the car," he said. "I think we should be there in the top eight or top ten, but we've got to get it right. The weather has changed slightly with the wind, but the car feels okay although not exactly as I want it, but then they never are."

Johnny’s forecast was correct, and he did a good job to set a time of 1m52.242s to line up ninth, ahead of the Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello. Eddie Irvine was half a second down on Johnny, with a lap of 1m52.885s, which was enough for 12th.

Qualifying times:

1. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:50.646 226.712 km/h 
2. Trulli Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:51.419 + 0.773 
3. Button Williams BMW 1:51.444 + 0.798 
4. M Schumacher Ferrari 1:51.552 + 0.906 
5. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:51.587 + 0.941 
6. R Schumacher Williams BMW 1:51.743 + 1.097 
7. Villeneuve BAR Honda 1:51.799 + 1.153 
8. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:51.926 + 1.280 
9. Herbert Jaguar Cosworth 1:52.242 + 1.596 
10. Barrichello Ferrari 1:52.444 + 1.798 
11. Fisichella Benetton Playlife 1:52.756 + 2.110 
12. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth 1:52.885 + 2.239 
13. Zonta BAR Honda 1:53.002 + 2.356 
14. Heidfeld Prost Peugeot 1:53.193 + 2.547 
15. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:53.211 + 2.565 
16. de la Rosa Arrows Supertec 1:53.237 + 2.591 
17. Alesi Prost Peugeot 1:53.309 + 2.663 
18. Salo Sauber Petronas 1:53.357 + 2.711 
19. Wurz Benetton Playlife 1:53.403 + 2.757 
20. Verstappen Arrows Supertec 1:53.912 + 3.266 
21. Gene Minardi Fondmetal 1:54.680 + 4.034 
22. Mazzacane Minardi Fondmetal 1:54.784 + 4.138

Friday practice

Jaguar Racing Press Release, 25th August 2000: Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine finished in third and 16th places respectively after today’s two hour-long free practice sessions for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Johnny comments: 

"We started out this morning working on a particular set-up which was making the car a little better but not improving it significantly. We changed strategy for this afternoon’s session which was a real turning point. We put on a flew set of tyres at the end of the session in order to check the balance for tomorrow and it felt really good. The job now is to keep that balance. It’s definitely the best it’s been for a while so I want to keep hold of it!"

Eddie's comments: 

"It's difficult to say where we really stand relative to our close rivals because although I ran through a series of set-up changes, I don’t have a clear indication because tyre degradation is clouding the picture. The car felt very good in the high speed corners, but there’s still some time to be found in the slow stuff. Johnny made a significant move up the time sheets at the end which we can learn from. I think we made good progress today. Sixteenth position may not be pretty reading, but we’ve got a lot more to come and I think we should be able to mount a solid challenge in qualifying."

Gary Anderson, Technical Director Jaguar Racing: 

"We ran through our usual Friday programme and emerged with encouraging results. Johnny has given us an indication of the balance of the car on new tyres which will be important for tomorrow. Johnny provided some very constructive input and made a big step forward towards the end of the second session with a set-up change which we will put to good effect in qualifying. Eddie ran through a programme this morning but was confused a little on direction because of tyre wear. He nonetheless feels he has identified the areas where he needs to improve the car in race trim. Overall we’re pleased with our efforts today."

Combined practice times: 

1. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:53.398 221.210 km/h 
2. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:53.919 + 0.521 
3. Herbert Jaguar Cosworth 1:53.945 + 0.547 
4. Villeneuve BAR Honda 1:54.136 + 0.738 
5. M Schumacher Ferrari 1:54.226 + 0.828 
6. Wurz Benetton Playlife 1:54.266 + 0.868 
7. Verstappen Arrows Supertec 1:54.338 + 0.940 
8. Fisichella Benetton Playlife 1:54.350 + 0.952 
9. Barrichello Ferrari 1:54.502 + 1.104 
10. Trulli Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:54.666 + 1.268 
11. Gene Minardi Fondmetal 1:54.832 + 1.434 
12. R Schumacher Williams BMW 1:55.209 + 1.811 
13. Button Williams BMW 1:55.270 + 1.872 
14. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:55.312 + 1.914 
15. Zonta BAR Honda 1:55.546 + 2.148 
16. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth 1:55.645 + 2.247 
17. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:55.750 + 2.352 
18. Salo Sauber Petronas 1:55.847 + 2.449 
19. Mazzacane Minardi Fondmetal 1:56.122 + 2.724 
20. de la Rosa Arrows Supertec 1:56.252 + 2.854 
21. Alesi Prost Peugeot 1:56.508 + 3.110 
22. Heidfeld Prost Peugeot 1:56.857 + 3.459 

Race preview

Jaguar Racing Press Release, 21st August 2000: Round 13 of the 2000 FIA Formula One World Championship takes the Fl Circus to Spa Francorchamps, home of one of the most exhilarating circuits on the calendar. A favourite amongst many of the drivers, Spa boasts not only the most daunting corner in F1 'Eau Rouge', but also the fastest, Blanchimont, a long left hander taken at speeds reaching almost 300km/h.

The weather often plays a big part in the Belgian Grand Prix where heavy rain can strike at any time and with little warning. Three of the last five races at Spa have been wet and it is not unknown for rain to fall at the far end of the circuit whilst in the pitlane the sun is shining, so Belgium can be a tough event for the weather forecasters!

The race for points continues for the Jaguar Racing team which has been testing at Silverstone in the build up to the Belgian Grand Prix. Jaguar Racing’s Technical Director Gary Anderson explains...

"We went to Silverstone to try out some new aero modifications and to work on our set-up for the race at spa. We did make progress but we’ll have to wait until the weekend to see the outcome. I can’t make any predictions for this race but will say that we have to keep our minds focused on the battle for points."

Johnny Herbert’s best result in the Belgian Grand Prix was fourth place in 1997. He relishes the challenges of Spa and is very much looking forward to the weekend...

"I always enjoy racing at Spa. It is the best and most demanding circuit on the calendar and Eau Rouge has to be the best corner in F1. It’s a real test of a driver’s expertise. I'm looking forward to going back and hope that a little bit of luck will go my way."

The Belgian Grand Prix is not Eddie Irvine’s favourite race but he is still in the hunt for more championship points - a top six finish is worth as many points in Belgium as it is anywhere else.. 

"While I appreciate the great setting and its place in the history books, I am not a big fan of Spa. I don’t see the thrill of driving fast round fast corners. You have enough downforce to keep your foot planted on the throttle and you don’t get to play with the car very much. Having said that we do all have a lot of respect for Eau Rouge. There is no corner like it anywhere else in the world! after Hungary it will make a nice change to be on a track with more than one overtaking opportunity. However, making up places at the start is always a risky business as the first corner is very tight."

A lap of Spa with Johnny

Jaguar-Racing, 21st August: "Spa is one of my favourite circuits, and I enjoy it even when it rains!" says Johnny. "The first corner, La Source, is the slowest point on the circuit. Taken in first or second gear, you have a lot of tarmac on the outside, so there are varying lines. Some people chose a wider line using the entire tarmac, and some don't. It doesn't seem to make much difference - only in the wet, when it seems it's better to take a tighter line.

"From there you go down the hill to the best corner in F1, Eau Rouge. It's taken in sixth gear - you hold your breath as you go into it - and then you finish up at the top! It's an amazing corner, a flat-out left/right kink. When you're driving you don't really realise how steep it is, but when you stand there and actually see it, it's pretty amazing. It motivates you for the rest of the lap. You know if you've got Eau Rouge right you've got good speed down the straight to Les Combes. Through the left and right to Malmedy you're just trying to keep your speed up.

"Rivage is a slow right-hander, and you need to keep as tight a line as you can. The important thing is the left going towards Pouhon, which is normally taken in fifth gear in qualifying. It's very quick and you turn in very hard. It's exhilarating, but not like Eau Rouge, which has more to it. The second part of it is taken very easily flat - no problem.

"Then there's the quick chicane at Fagnes, taken in third gear. It's a right and left, and you use the kerbs mainly on the exit on the right-hand side, just to keep the speed going. 

"Then there's a third gear right-hander, Stavelot. You've got to get it right, as you really want a high exit speed because from there it's flat all the way down to the Bus Stop. Blanchimont is very good, because although it's flat it's more difficult than it used to be when we used grippy, slick tyres. 

"The Bus Stop is not as quick as it is on the PlayStation, where I can do it in fifth! It's actually taken in second. The first part is quite tricky, because although the car is bouncing you need traction through there. As you come out of the exit you use the kerb on the right, the kerb on the left, getting very close to the right-hand barrier. There's a little bit of a bump as well, and that normally throws you towards the wall, so it's quite tricky.

"Also as it's the end of the lap the tyres have had quite a hard time, so it becomes very tricky. But Eau Rouge and Stavelot are the crucial corners on the lap because they dictate the speed you can achieve down the straights that follow."  

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Last updated 27th August 2000