AUGUST 25, 1997

Ford and Tyrrell - the deal is done

FORD will announce on Thursday that it has agreed a deal to supply Tyrrell with its V10 engines next year, in addition to its involvement with Stewart Grand Prix. In order to keep Jackie Stewart happy, however, the Tyrrell engines will be at least two steps behind those being used by the works team - and Tyrrell will have to pay.

The top management at Ford seems to believe that having two teams using its V10 engines will speed up the project by creating a healthy competition between the two operations. They cite the example of 1993 when Benetton and McLaren both had Ford V8 engines and Benetton - the works team - was humbled by the performances of McLaren. The following year Michael Schumacher won the title for Ford.

We understand that Tyrrell is already pushing hard to be given better specification engines.