EXCLUSIVE ARGENTINE GRAND PRIX COVERAGE

Qualifying

by Andrew Frankl,
European Bureau Chief
The Auto Channel

The unsung hero of Argentina-with apologies to Evita-was the Dutch Jos Verstappen. Jos who?-do I hear you say. He is a young man who drives for the seriously underpowered and under-financed Arrows team.

Their engine is made by Brian Hart in England. A V8 which could do with some more power and development got the Flying Dutchman round into a remarkable 7th place on the grid ahead of the mega-rich McLaren team of Hakkinen and Coulthard.

Schumacher's team-mate could do no better than 10th, poor Eddie Irvine was just shaking his head trying to figure out what was it that Michael had that he didn't. No-one had the courage to tell him.

Gerhard Berger was suffering so much from the bumps on the track that he had to have his neck and back massaged before he could go for his quick lap. The race itself should belong to Hill. Whilst Schumacher is brilliant, I doubt that even he could drive at 11/10th for 72 laps.

Two years ago there was a similar situation in Brazil when the late, great Ayrton Senna tried to keep up with Schumacher only to spin out. I have a horrible feeling that the same thing may happen this time although I would love to be wrong. Either way it's clear that Ferrari aren't standing still and Williams dominance won’t last for ever. No one is more aware of this than Damon who wont be content with anything less than 10 points tomorrow.

Actually I do know-he is magic. Throwing the car around like a go-kart he was absolutely on the limit and then some!

His rivals, also trying to come to terms with the bumpy track were spinnng off like ninepins in a bowling-alley. Alesi, Frentzen, Herbert, Brundle were all cutting the grass as if were asked to do so by the local gardener.

Consequently none of them could get near to the front runners except Alesi who had time to run back to his spare car.