F1: Stewart-Ford Canadian Grand Prix Update
13 June 1999
Montreal, Saturday 12th June, 1999 STEWART-FORD NOTES & QUOTES Canadian Grand Prix: Qualifying Weather: Sunny and hot (ambient 30 degrees C, track temperature 43 degrees C) Rubens Barrichello will start Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix in fifth place - the Brazilian's fifth top six qualifying performance in 1999. Johnny Herbert qualified tenth - equalling his best qualifying performance this year. RUBENS BARRICHELLO Car No.16 (SF3-04) Time: 1:19.930 Position: 5th What did you change on the car to improve your performance from this morning? 'We changed the set-up between practice and qualifying which enabled the car to handle the kerbs much better. It made the car friendlier to drive and faster. I was very happy with my fastest lap. However I reckon I could have gone even faster. I was following Irvine's Ferrari but we were slowed by the yellow flag on our flying laps.' What are your prospects for the race? 'They are very good. I like this circuit and we have done well here in the past. We still have a slight worry for the race with brake cooling on a heavy fuel load but every other team will have the same problem.' JOHNNY HERBERT Car No.17 (SF3-05) Time: 1:20.829 Position: 10th Why was your qualifying performance today better than recently? 'I'm definitely getting there. I feel like it's going to click into place for me soon. I'm still losing time and traction during the lap. I found an improvement in the car from yesterday and this morning by making a set-up change aimed at improving stability.' What are the prospects for the race? 'The race will be tight. We are all on the same tyres and probably the same strategy so the start will be crucial. I'm confident of a good finish.' GARY ANDERSON, Technical Director, Stewart-Ford 'From an overall team point of view this was a very pleasing qualifying performance. Rubens was once again right behind the McLarens and Ferraris and Johnny has found a bit extra which is encouraging for him. In fact, this is the closest Rubens has been to the McLarens all year. The car has performed well, particularly in these conditions. The track was very hot out there today. We must now keep it tight and clean in the race in order to pick another points finish.' NEIL RESSLER, Vice-President, Research & Vehicle Technology, Ford 'This is a most encouraging performance in qualifying for the Stewart-Ford team's first Grand Prix under Ford ownership. Both cars ran faultlessly throughout the day and since we have a good track record in Canada - the closest thing Ford has to a home Grand Prix - we are looking forward to a strong race tomorrow.'