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      The Electronic Formula 1 News Service for the Internet
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                  *** January 31st 1996 ***
                   ***  Issue Number 11 ***
                        6 Weeks To Go
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                        In This Issue

           *F1 Cars To Carry Black Boxes ?
           *Air Bags Out For 97
           *Tyrrell Ready For 96
           *Ligier, All Or Nothing
           *Williams Back Hill For Title
           *Substitute Drivers To Be Allowed ?
           *Montermini Signs For Forti
           *Customer Cars Rejected
           *Ferrari Testing Disrupted By Weather (Again)
           *Arrows Ready To Launch FA17



F1 Cars To Carry Black Boxes ?

Aircraft style "Black Boxes" are being considered for Formula 1 cars. The
data collected by the boxes would be used in the event of an accident. The
FIA are also said to be considering a set of standard procedures which
would be followed in the event of an accident. They are hoping to get the
European Commission to help standardise the way in which accidents are
investigated.



Air Bags Out For 97

It looks increasingly unlikely that F1 cars will be fitted with driver air
bags for the 1997 season. Due to the combination of cockpit space and
accident speeds, suitable bags are proving very difficult to implement.



Tyrrell Ready For 96

The Tyrrell team are very confident that their new 024 coupled with the new
Yamaha OX11A V10 will allow them to finish in the top five of this years
constructors championship. Tyrrell had a poor season last year (just 5
points) and they are looking back at 95 as a learning experience. Harvey
Postlethwaite (engineering MD) has said that the team looked at the GP
circuits, analysed each track and designed the car accordingly. Tyrrell
found that the most common corner in F1 is a 2nd  gear 120kph. They have
designed the car to excel on those kind of corners. The Yamaha engine is a
significant step forward, very light, compact and with low rotating masses
which should help acceleration.



Ligier, All Or Nothing

1996 could be make or break for Ligier. The team are committed to making it
work and the new Mugen engine looks promising. Tow Walkinshaw has said that
he didn't think that anyone was interested in running a lame duck at the
back of the field and if the team were not committed to making things work
the only solution would be to shut down.
Ligier have emphasised the importance of 1996 by signing two test drivers,
Kenny Brack joins Kelvin Burt as the second test driver. The team have an
important aerodynamic programme and a lot of engine work scheduled, which
will require two drivers. The team have also agreed sponsorship with
Parmalat.



Williams Back Hill For Title

Frank Williams has said that Damon Hill has his best shot yet of becoming
World champion. Damon has a new trainer (Erwin Grollner) and Frank Williams
has said that Hill's attitude in pre season testing has been far more
positive this year. Williams have said that Hill will receive better
support from the team this year; acknowledging the pit crews poor
performance at some races Frank said that it was not all Damon's fault. The
team made mistakes too, they can do better and this year they intend to put
things right.
Patrick Head has said that he expects Jacques Villeneuve to win some races
this year, but talk of him winning the championship at his first attempt
was "fanciful". It is commonly believed that Jacques will fare better in
his first season than previous Indy drivers.



Substitute Drivers To Be Allowed ?

It looks likely that F1 teams will be able to nominate a reserve driver for
a race meeting. If one of the two team drivers is injured during practice
his place may be taken by the reserve driver. At Suzuka Mark Blundell
should not have raced (Neck injury sustained in practice crash) but without
the ability to substitute him McLaren were forced to enter him for the GP.
Mark had pain killing injections in his neck so that he could compete. The
substitute drivers would allow injured drivers  to rest properly.



Montermini Signs For Forti

Andrea Montermini has signed for Forti. He is due to begin testing at the
end of the week. Forti hope to announce their second driver soon. This
means that only the second Forti seat and the Second Minardi seat remain
vacant. Though Arrows have yet to confirm that they have signed Jos
Verstappen.



Customer Cars Rejected

The chance of customer teams returning to Formula 1 appeared and then
disappeared within the space of a week. The FOCA meeting which discussed
this issue (among others) dismissed the idea. Common opinion was that the
idea, designed to increase the grid size, was a good one but that customer
cars was not the way to do it.



Ferrari Testing Disrupted By Weather (Again)

Ferrari continue to be hampered by bad weather. Ferrari were supposed to be
testing at Paul Ricard, but a combination of engine problems and severe
weather conditions left the testing session badly disrupted.



Arrows Ready To Launch FA17

The new Arrows FA17 is expected to be announced within the next two weeks.
It is highly possible that Verstappen and Rosset will be confirmed as
drivers. The Arrows test driver may also be named at the same time.

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This document is most definitely copyright 1996 Formula 1 News. This
publication is free for the Internet community and may be freely
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None of these articles are guaranteed 100% true, accurate or correct. We
report it as we hear it. In many cases one weeks story will be completely
contradicted by next weeks, such is life :-)
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Formula 1 News is edited by Neil Whiley. (Neil@bigvern.demon.co.uk).
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