PR-LE MANS - MULLER Q2

Subj:  PR-LE MANS - MULLER Q2		Section: F-1/Internat'l News
  To:  All				Friday, June 14, 1996 9:36:08 AM
From:  RIS/UK-Martin Buck, 100113,3322	#819073

By Martin Buck

RACING INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Le Mans, France - RIS - The following press release has been issued by the Franck Muller McLaren F1 team, following yesterday's second qualifying session for this weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Thierry Lecourt (Team Manager): "Today the main job is to change and check everything on the car, especially the gearbox and drive shaft, and train the team in race conditions for pit stops. We are convinced, regarding the average level of all competitors, that the race is going to be won or lost in the pits."

Maurizio Sala (driver): "The main problem we had yesterday was to get the right brake temperature. This caused the problem when Fabien Giroix had the qualifying tyres and then we could not improve our grid position, but overall we improved the car around three seconds in race condition. This morning we are changing the engine, just to be on the safe side, but we are confident that we have a good Endurance car."

Fabien Giroix (driver): "During the warm-up we have to test a couple of technical details, to adjust the last little things, but we are happy with the car, which will permit us to maintain a high level during the race."

Jean-Denis Deletraz (driver): "I am very confident of the McLaren car, which is very easy to drive and on the homogeneity of the team this year."

Regards, Jon Baker/Jacquie Groom/Martin Buck