AUGUST 15, 2000

Ferrari ask for two-car pit-stops to be introduced

FERRARI have asked Formula One's governing body, the FIA, to investigate the possibility of introducing two-car pit-stops during a Grand Prix.

Technical director Ross Brawn believes it is pointless to leave one car out on track while they service the other, as the car on track loses valuable time and risks having an accident.

The situation came to light during the German Grand Prix last month when McLaren's David Coulthard was forced to continue on the track as team-mate Mika Hakkinen, who was leading at the time, came into the pits when a safety car was deployed.

"There is no point in leaving a car out on a wet track on slick tires," said Brawn. "You might as well bring the car in and even if the driver has to wait for 10 seconds, it is better than perhaps going off the track.

"The problems is that there is not enough room in the pits and you can't have two pit crews. So we are asking the FIA for a new ruling."