Formula One: Stewart Ford Notes, Canadian Grand Prix
15 June 1999
Johnny Herbert finished his first race for the Stewart-Ford team in a strong fifth place after an eventful race. His performance added another two points to the Stewart-Ford team's tally and consolidated the team's sixth position in the Championship.Rubens Barrichello retired from the race after sustaining damage to his car following an accident in the first corner on the first lap. The Brazilian did go into the pits for the Stewart-Ford team to inspect the car and repair the damaged body work but ended his race on lap 14 as the car became undriveable.
This weekend was the first time the Stewart-Ford team competed under Ford ownership.
RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04)
Retired Lap 14
Describe what happened in the first corner?
'I was braking hard to avoid Coulthard coming into turn one when I was hit
by Trulli in the Prost. It was a pretty big impact - it even took a piece
out of my helmet. I think it was a dangerous move at that specific part of
the circuit'
What caused your eventual retirement?
'Because of the accident the car was completely out of shape. There was a
big problem with the steering column because the car was pulling to the
left. I tried to carry on but the car was undriveable. The way things
turned out I could have been in the points again. Montreal has always been
good to me but not this time.'
JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05)
5th place Two points
How does it feel to claim your first finish and points for the
Stewart-Ford team?
'I'm delighted to finish my first Grand Prix of the year and to come away
with two points is a bonus. It's been quite a weekend for the whole team -
with the announcement that Ford has acquired the team and Jackie's 60th
birthday. I'm really pleased for my crew. They did another great job but
this time they have been rewarded.'
Describe Eddie Irvine's overtaking manoeuvre to take fifth from you towards the end of the race?
'I kept him at bay for a few laps but when we came to the chicane I thought he was too far back to make a passing move. When he went down the inside he was going in too quickly to make the chicane. I had to steer away to avoid him and we both went through the grass. It was a good battle while it lasted. I was able to keep a gap between us in the slower corners on braking but its a shame I couldn't hold him off.'
Gary Anderson, Technical Director
'A bit of over aggressive driving at the start by another driver cost us chances of a good finish for Rubens. We are pleased for Johnny, he drove a really hard race and was pushing when he needed to at the end. The safety car probably did us a few favours in the race but the two points are well deserved.'
NEIL RESSLER, Vice-President, Research & Vehicle Technology, Ford
'We are extremely pleased with Johnny's first race finish for the Stewart-Ford team - and for him to score two points makes it even more special. The engines performed faultlessly throughout the weekend and Johnny's performance today illustrated that all the work put in to improve reliability is paying off.'
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