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Formula One: Stewart-Ford Racing News, Hungarian Grand Prix

15 August 1999

Hungaroring, Saturday 14th August, 1999
STEWART-FORD NOTES & QUOTES
Hungarian Grand Prix: Qualifying

Weather: Sunny and hot
(Ambient temperature 21 deg C, track temperature 39 deg C)

Rubens Barrichello will start tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix from the fourth row after qualifying in eighth position - the Brazilian's lowest qualifying position of the year. Team mate Johnny Herbert qualified in 10th place.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)
Time: 1:19.095 Position: eighth

Were you expecting to be higher up the grid?

'I was hoping for a top four position today which was realistic given the way the car had been performing. However the car was very nervous and I experienced a lot more understeer this afternoon. I can't really explain it because I was happy with the set-up before qualifying.'

What will be the main factors in the race?

'Strategy is the key here because there are very few overtaking opportunities. There will be a chance to pick up places off the start if you can get enough of a drag, but it's very bumpy into the first corner so it won't be easy. Tyre wear will also be critical.'

JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05)
Time: 1:19.389 Position: 10th

What are your expectations for the race?

'My job will be a lot harder staring from 10th on the grid but if the conditions stay as they were today and I can run a clean race I'm hoping for a points finish.'

You aborted your final run - what happened?

'I was coming into the last turn about to start my flying lap conscious that Frentzen was on a quick one behind me. I backed off and moved over to give him room but he didn't go for the gap I left. Instead he ran over my front wing which was a bit annoying.'

PAUL STEWART, SGP Chief Operating Officer

'This was a very frustrating qualifying session - our worst of the season. We certainly expected to do better based on our Free Practice positions. If you look at the time sheets it appears that tyre choice was crucial today.'

MARTIN WHITAKER, Director, Ford Racing, Europe

'With both Rubens and Johnny finishing in the top five this morning we had hoped to maintain our pace during qualifying. That we failed to do so will make the race more difficult. After the last few races reliability is top of our list and this will be paramount tomorrow. We experienced no problems with the Series 4 engines during today's running, and both drivers will be using Series 3 engines tomorrow.'

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