Formula One: Hopes of podium finish for Bar Honda washed away by Canadian Rain
19 June 2000
FIA Formula 1 World Championship - Round 8 Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal Race Report HOPES OF PODIUM FINISH FOR BAR HONDA WASHED AWAY BY CANADIAN RAIN Sunday 18 June 2000 The Canadian Grand Prix weekend looked to be building to a glorious climax for Lucky Strike Reynard BAR Honda, but optimism ultimately gave way to disappointment as the weather intervened, throwing the race into a state of confusion. Ricardo Zonta could finish only eighth while team mate Jacques Villeneuve crashed out five laps from the end of the race. Just forty minutes earlier the team had been on course to capitalise on its best qualifying positions of the year, looked set to bring home both cars in the points and a first podium result was a real possibility. Boosted by the extraordinary support of his local fans, Jacques had made his now customary blast away from the grid as the red lights went out. He moved past Frentzen and up the outside of Hakkinen's McLaren into the first corner. The Canadian found himself alongside Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari, but holding the inside line into the second corner Villeneuve was able to claim third place. Zonta kept out of trouble and held his eighth position at the start. With a straight-line speed advantage over Barrichello, Villeneuve was able to maintain his position in the early laps and when Coulthard received a stop-go penalty, the BAR Honda driver inherited second place. After 25 laps, spots of rain began to fall, making certain sections of the track very slippery and two anxious moments under braking saw both Barrichello and Hakkinen come past. The team's plan to stop as late as possible looked perfect and by lap 43 the team held fourth and sixth positions as the drivers prepared to make their pit stops. The threat of heavier rain made tyre selection difficult, as neither drivers nor engineers could determine the best strategy. Zonta fitted slicks on lap 43 and Villeneuve did the same the following lap, but as Villeneuve left the pits the rain became heavier and both drivers returned to the pit lane immediately for wet tyres, the ensuing confusion causing them to lose places on the track. Thereafter, the BAR Honda drivers continued in the now treacherous conditions, determined to bring their cars to the finish as their rivals slid around and skidded into retirement. Five laps from the flag, however, Villeneuve braked too late for the hairpin, skidded into Ralf Schumacher and ended the race for both drivers. Zonta managed well in the testing conditions and took the flag in eighth place. Jacques Villeneuve DNF - Lap 65 - Accident "Today really was a disappointment. I got a great start again and was able to go well in the dry, when we were on for a really good finish. Then in the wet the car was really quick as well, but unfortunately, a breakdown in communication led to the wrong tyres being fitted at the pit stop. Having to return to the pits ruined our chances and I guess I just pushed a bit too hard at the end trying to make up for it and out-braked myself." Ricardo Zonta Position: 8th "The car was oversteering at the beginning of the race, but our strategy was to save fuel for the later stages. I wanted to fit wet tyres before my first stop, but I could not make contact with my race engineer. I then had to stay out for another two laps on slicks and that effectively ended any chance of a points finish today." Takefumi Hosaka - Managing Director, Honda R&D "The happiness of seeing Jacques running in second place was good but it didn't last long. We want as soon as possible to be getting closer to the top two on merit. It was a shame that we could not capitalise on our qualifying position, but that's racing. We need to learn more about racing in the rain. We are analysing the problems thoroughly and will improve in the necessary areas." Craig Pollock - Managing Director, British American Racing "What started out to be a potential podium finish today turned into a disaster. It's difficult not to be bitterly disappointed at the loss of almost certain points. We have to focus now on the French Grand Prix, but I think we can be encouraged by our competitiveness this weekend." Jordan Mugen Honda also enjoyed a good qualifying performance yesterday. Heinz-Harald Frentzen qualified fifth but lost out at the start, ending up sixth on the first lap which he held until a brake problem ended his race on lap 32. Team mate Jarno Trulli started seventh, drove a steady race, held his nerve in the difficult circumstances and claimed a fine sixth place to earn another world championship point. The Formula One teams return to Europe in a fortnight for the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours, Sunday 2 July and BAR Honda is testing this week at the French circuit (21-23 June). Championship Standings after 8 of 17 rounds P. Driver Nat. Pts 1 SCHUMACHER Michael GER 56 2 COULTHARD David GBR 34 3 HAKKINEN Mika FIN 32 4 BARRICHELLO Rubens BRZ 28 5 FISICHELLA Giancarlo ITA 18 6 SCHUMACHER Ralf GER 12 7 VILLENEUVE Jacques CAN 5 = FRENTZEN H-Harald GER 5 = TRULLI Jarno ITA 5 P. Constructor Points 1 FERRARI 84 2 McLAREN-MERCEDES 66 3 WILLIAMS-BMW 15 4 BENETTON PLAYLIFE 18 5 JORDAN MUGEN-HONDA 10 6 BAR HONDA 6 7 SAUBER 3 = JAGUAR 3 = ARROWS 3