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      The Electronic Formula 1 News Service for the Internet
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                  *** February 28th 1996 ***
                   ***  Issue Number 15 ***
                  2 Weeks To Go (11 days really !)
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                        In This Issue


           *Protesters Step Up Action In Melbourne
           *Testing Effectively Over Now
           *Competitions To Enter Quick!!
           *Jordan Confident
           *Schumacher Rain Stops Weekend Testing
           *Schumacher Still Troubled
           *Villeneuve Quickest On Friday
           *Mika Quickest On Thursday
           *French GP Staying Put In 97




Protesters Step Up Action In Melbourne
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With only 9 days to go before the start of the Australian GP, the protests
that have been occurring in Melbourne were stepped up. Protesters playing
ball games in the pit straight were arrested. The teams have also been
threatened, and many have received parcels containing nails accompanied by
notes inferring that drivers lives would be at risk if the race proceeds.
The race is not likely to be stopped though as the state premier Jeff
Kennett was the man responsible for the race being allowed to take place.
He described the threat of an injunction being sought on the grounds of
noise pollution as "Un Australian".


Testing Effectively Over Now
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Now that all the teams (except Ferrari who are now at Fiorino) have
completed their testing programmes and the cars are being readied for
shipping to Australia, I thought that it might be worthwhile having a quick
look at the testing times.

The outstanding times belong to Hakkinen, Salo, Villeneuve, Berger and
Barrichello. All of these drivers have in one way or another posted
remarkable times. Hakkinen for obvious reasons, Salo has shown that the new
Tyrrell is a force to be reckoned with when he is driving it. Villeneuve
has shown how well he has adapted to Formula1 cars, we just need to see him
adapt as well in race mode. Gerhard Berger had a torrid time in early
testing and has come through and shown that he is as quick as ever. Finally
Rubens has shown that this year, he and Jordan are there for points and
possibly a win or two.

Coulthard and Alesi did not get much testing done and so their times should
not be viewed as representative. Damon Hill went home after Wednesday and
like Schumacher, did not run in qualifying trim during his testing, so
again these two have slower times than they are capable of.

A summary of the best test times
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1  Hakkinen             1.19.65
2  Villeneuve           1.19.85
3  Berger               1.19.90
4  Barrichello          1.19.93
5  Alesi                1.20.26
6  Salo                 1.20.45
7  Hill                 1.20.95
8  Schumacher           1.21.08
9  Brundle              1.21.18
10 Panis                1.21.74
11 Coulthard            1.21.86
12 Verstappen           1.21.93
13 Katayama             1.23.06
14 Diniz                1.23.42
15 Rosset               1.24.49


Jordan Confident
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Jordan and Peugeot have both said this week that they are expecting to
finish in the top four of the constructors championship, and that they
expect to win at least one race this year. Peugeot have been working very
hard on an engine that will not blow up with three laps to go !!! and
Jordan say that this years car has been designed for the Peugeot engine,
unlike last year when they had a Hart/Ford/Peugeot engine swap at the last
minute.


Schumacher Rain Stops Weekend Testing
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Michael Schumacher's troubled times spilled over into his weekend test
session. On Saturday he managed a best time of 1.21.61. Further testing on
Sunday was ruled out by rain. Ferrari are set to continue testing this week
at Fiorino where Schumacher and Irvine will be trying to get the car ready
in time for the Australian GP.


Schumacher Still Troubled
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Michael Schumacher's troubled times continued on Friday. He actually had a
drive in the F310, well until the second bend when it ground to a halt.
With only 14 days to go before the start of the Australian GP Ferrari still
have a lot of work to do. They must enter their new car, as last years is
now illegal due to rule changes. 14 days is a long time in any sport, lets
hope they can get the car ready in time.


Villeneuve Quickest On Friday
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Jacques Villeneuve posted the fastest time on Friday. The young Canadian
flew round in 1.19.85 just outside Mika Hakkinen's fastest time. Gerhard
Berger continued to improve on his times and he too joined the sub 1.20.00
club with a best of 1.19.90 Alesi only completed nine laps today.


Mika Quickest On Thursday
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Mika Hakkinen was quickest again on Thursday and became the first driver
below 1.20.00. The Benettons were quicker and Mika Salo put in an
impressive time in the Tyrrell. Jacques Villeneuve posted the fastest time
for a Williams driver. The Ferrari is still struggling though.


French GP Staying Put In 97
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The proposed move from Magny Cours to Paul Ricard in 1997 looks like being
postponed until 1998.
It emerged today that FOCA had already signed contracts to race at Magny
Cours before the decision to move the race was made.

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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
distributed to news groups and forums provided it is reposted completely,
in a wholly unedited form and credited to Neil Whiley.
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).
Check out the Web Site at: http://www.u-net.com/enigma/formula1
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