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Formula One: 2000 lineup announced; Villeneuve happy with Honda power

16 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS-- The FIA has released the provisional Formula One entry list for the 2000 season, which includes the inaugural United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis on Sept. 24.

Unlike NASCAR, where drivers usually keep their same number year after year, F1s numbering system awards the number 1 to the reigning World Champion while his teammate carries the number 2.

The rest of numbers are based on how the team finished in the Constructors Championship the previous season. The drivers keep the same number all year. Drivers may be nominated and/or changed up until 4 p.m. March 9, 2000. The entry list:

Number/Driver/Nationality/Sponsor Car & Engine

1) Mika Hakkinen (Finland) West McLaren Mercedes

2) David Coulthard (Great Britain) West McLaren Mercedes

3) Michael Schumacher (Germany) Marlboro Ferrari

4) Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Marlboro Ferrari

5) Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) Benson & Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda

6) Jarno Trulli (Italy) Benson & Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda

7) Eddie Irvine (Great Britain) Jaguar Cosworth

8) Johnny Herbert (Great Britain) Jaguar Cosworth

9) Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams BMW

10) Alessandro Zanardi (Italy) Williams BMW

11) Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Mild Seven Benetton - TBA

12) Alexander Wurz (Austria) Mild Seven Benetton - TBA

14) Jean Alesi (France) Gauloises Prost Peugeot

15) Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Gauloises Prost Peugeot

16) Pedro Diniz (Brazil) Red Bull Sauber Petronas

17) Mika Salo (Finland) Red Bull Sauber Petronas

18) TBA Arrows Supertec

19) TBA Arrows Supertec

20) Marc Gene (Spain) Minardi - TBA

21) TBA Minardi - TBA

22) Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) Lucky Strike British American Racing Honda

23) Ricardo Zonta (Brazil) Lucky Strike British American Racing Honda ***

Villeneuve pleased by Honda power: Jacques Villeneuve has given the new Honda V10 its first on track test. 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner Villeneuve drove the 2000 version of the Lucky Strike British American Racing chassis for 34 trouble-free laps recently at the Silverstone circuit in England.

"The engine sounds and feels good," Villeneuve said. "It was difficult to do any sort of speed comparison with the 1999 car because of the slippery track conditions."

Honda is returning to F1 after being absent from the series since the end of the 1992 season.

Said Malcolm Oastler, technical director at British American Racing: "The shakedown has gone extremely well -- in fact, we couldnt have expected it to go better. It is a testament to all the hard work people have done over the last six months designing and building the car and incorporating everything weve learned this year."

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