EXCLUSIVE TACH COVERAGE
A Sleeper?
European Bureau Chief
I suggested the other day that Magny Cours was an exceptionally boring place ,totally devoid of any French charm. Practice proved me right. It was a dismal affair with drivers emerging one at a time with no fight in most of them, they were just plodding round to the best of their abilities. Well, some abilities are being seriously challanged by a number of impressive newcomers.
Jarno Trulli in the Prost -replacing the injured Panis-did a remarkable job ending up way ahead the so called established stars such as Hakkinen and Coulthard. Young Alex Wurz in the Benetton-this time in place of Berger- was eqully impressive. Poor Damon Hill ended up 17th, this is now beyond a joke for the champion who must be spending as much time negotiating next year's contract as he is driving the awful Arrows. Luckily Jacques Villeneuve provided some entertainment by being outspoken once again. I would hate to be told you so,but his sentiments re Panis's accident are exactly what I wrote for TACH. He suggested that two broken legs were not the end of the world, after all skiers in their thousands did it all the time from Austria to Canada and from Chile to Switzerland. As Villeneuve said if you are a driver you take risks every time you go out. If you can't take the risks you should not go out.
Even that high priest of safety, Jackie Stewart agreed with the young Canadian( who incidentally was sporting bleached strawberry colour hair this week-end) saying that the reaction to Oliver's accident was a bit over the top. Anyway, at least there was some excitement.
As for Sunday's race it promises some fun because hot-headed Ralf will start from third position directly behind his brother Michael who is on pole.Long-suffering Frentzen is also on the front row. Jacques ended up in fourth place which is of no great significance really as far as overtaking is concerned on this appaling race track. That you can do even if most of the spectators will be fast asleep by then.