MARCH 28, 2001

Aerodynamic package to help Benetton in Brazil

BENETTON technical director Mike Gascoyne is confident the new aerodynamic package the team tested in Barcelona last week can help turn around their disappointing season.

Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella were both behind the wheel of the B201 at the Circuit de Catalunya and Gascoyne believes the new package they tested will help increase their speed in Brazil this weekend.

Gascoyne said: "Malaysia was obviously a tough race with high temperatures, but we were pleased in general with the reliability of the cars which was a step forward from Australia, the first race of the season.

"We tested a new bodywork package (in Barcelona) with several major updates and this will be incorporated on the cars in Brazil.

"The new aero package gave us positive results in testing and so we hope it will help us improve our performance in comparison to our competitors."

Director of engineering Pat Symonds is hopeful that Italian Fisichella and Briton Button can repeat their performance of 2000 at Interlagos when both finished in the points.

"Last year this was a good race for both of our drivers with Giancarlo qualifying fifth and finishing second in the race," Symonds said. "And Jenson, in only his second race (in Formula One with Williams), qualified ninth and gained his first point."