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Formula One: News and Notes, Sepang, Malaysia

23 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Herberts farewell: Johnny Herbert closed out his Formula One career in Malaysia with his 161st Grand Prix start. He plans to continue his racing career in North America and wants to race in the Indianapolis 500.

"In some way, I am looking forward to it," Herbert said of leaving F1. "I had made up my mind quite early what I would be doing next year. Thats what I am looking at and planning for, rather than looking at this race as my last and starting to cry. But I am not going to do that. "It will probably hit me harder next year when I watch the race from Melbourne (on TV) next year, in an armchair with my feet up, my slippers on my feet and the dog by my side. The good thing then is that I will be able to say: Look at that! I would have done it better! It will hit me then."

Several hundred people from the F1 fraternity, including Mika Hakkinen, Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button and Jackie Stewart, showed up for a farewell party given for Herbert at the track Friday afternoon.

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Bridgestone stays: Contrary to published stories, Bridgestone is not considering withdrawing from F1.

"There has been some ill-informed speculation about the future of Bridgestone in racing," said Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport. "I would point out that our long-term commitment IRL, CART and F1 was recently emphasized by our president, Mr. Yoichiro Kaizaki."

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Sponsorships: Hewlett-Packard has extended its sponsorship with Jordan for another three years. McLaren and Enkei wheels have extended their partnership for three years, and Canon will also become one of the teams official sponsors. Arrows has signed a three-year agreement with the Los Angeles based technology company RG Tecq.

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Wurz signs test deal: Alexander Wurz has signed to be the test driver for the West McLaren Mercedes team. He replaces Olivier Panis, who will drive for BAR Honda next season.

"This testing job at West McLaren Mercedes is a very good opportunity for me," Wurz said. "I am the third driver on the team, and it is a very important job. I am a technical driver and very interested in all this stuff. They also will involve me in the long-term technical developments as well as the performance testing programs."

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BAR not for sale: BAR Chief Operating Officer Ian Ross said the team is not going to be taken over.

"Neither the shareholders, directors, nor senior managers of BAR have any knowledge of a desire on the part of Honda to purchase the team, and they have certainly not discussed such a plan with us," Ross said. "As for the article alleging that a number of senior BAR staff are involved in a scheme to purchase the team, I can confirm that none of the current team personnel named in the story have agreed to support any such move.

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Testing ban: All on track F1 testing is banned between the last race and Dec. 1.

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Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes win all: This was the first time since 1988 that two teams have won every race of the season, as Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes dominated.

McLaren won 15 of 16 races in 1988 and would have won all of them if Ayrton Senna, who led the Italian Grand Prix, had not tangled with a slower car. Senna spun, and Gerhard Berger went on to win in a Ferrari.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.