Formula One News — May 2001
MAY 23, 2001
Bridgestone Firestone and Ford end relationship
BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE has announced that it will stop supplying tires to the Ford Motor Company, ending a relationship which dates back 100 years.
Gascoyne aware reliability improvements needed
MIKE GASCOYNE, Benetton's technical director, is aware his team needs an improvement in reliability as well as speed if they are to end their dismal run of form.
Pre-Monaco testing for Ferrari
LUCA BADOER was present for a half-day test at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit on Wednesday, just four days before the Monaco Grand Prix.
Why is Honda struggling?
ONE of the least impressive showings in Formula 1 this year has been the performance of the Honda V10 engine.
Pre-Monaco testing for Ferrari
LUCA BADOER was present for a half-day test at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit on Wednesday, just four days before the Monaco Grand Prix.
Montoya to use launch control
WILLIAMS driver Juan Pablo Montoya will be using traction control at the start of the Monaco Grand Prix, he confirmed on Wednesday.
MAY 22, 2001
BAR appeal for rule clarification
BRITISH AMERICAN RACING said on Monday their appeal against Kimi Raikkonen's fourth-place finish in Austria was for a change in rules rather than against the Sauber driver.
Schumacher future secured at Ferrari with new deal
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER's future at Ferrari was secured on Tuesday after the German driver extended his contract until the end of the 2004 season.
Schumacher warns of opening lap problems
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER fears that the opening lap of the Monaco Grand Prix could be littered with carnage after he expressed his concerns over the launch control problems.
Rumi dies from cancer
FORMER Minardi team manager and chairman Gabriele Rumi died after a brave fight against cancer on Monday evening, the team announced on Tuesday.
Monaco fears for startline shunt
FEARS that a potentially disastrous startline collision could wreck Sunday's Monaco grand prix were voiced yesterday by one of formula one racing's top engineers.
Kirch to increase his share in SLEC
GERMAN media baron Leo Kirch says that he is going to increase his shareholding in SLEC - the holding company which controls the Formula One group of companies.
MAY 21, 2001
Hakkinen ready for reliability benefits
FINN Mika Hakkinen is refusing to predict an end to his dismal run of form in the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
Jaguar Racing to build its own Maranello
FORD MOTOR COMPANY's premier motor sport arms, consisting of Jaguar Racing, Cosworth Racing and Pi will have a new home at the former Royal Air Force nuclear air base of Gaydon, in Warwickshire, England.
MAY 20, 2001
Montoya ready for Monaco challenge
ALTHOUGH this will be Juan Pablo Montoya's first Formula One race in Monaco, the Colombian driver is very familiar with the streets of Monte Carlo.
Schumacher wants to retain Barrichello as number two
TRIPLE world champion Michael Schumacher has said that he wants Rubens Barrichello to continue as his Ferrari team-mate next season.
MAY 19, 2001
Di Montezemolo's decision delights Schumacher
FERRARI president Luca di Montezemolo's decision not to take up a post in the Italian government has relieved the team's star driver Michael Schumacher.
Ralf feels sorry for Button
RALF SCHUMACHER has urged his former BMW-Williams team-mate Jenson Button to push harder to make the most of his opportunity at the Benetton team.
Minardi demands Toyota's attention
ALTHOUGH Toyota Motorsport is ignoring Minardi's attempts to get compensation for the loss of Gustav Brunner, Minardi insists that a contract does exist and that legal action will follow against Brunner and Toyot
MAY 18, 2001
BAR protest against Raikkonen will be heard in June
BRITISH AMERICAN RACING's appeal against the rejection of their protest against Sauber's Kimi Raikkonen in the Austrian Grand Prix will not be heard until June 1, it was announced by the FIA on Friday.
Di Montezemolo backs team orders decision
LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO, president of Ferrari, has defended the team's decision to impose team orders in Sunday's Austrian Grand.
Rahal targets Honda runners
JAGUAR RACING boss Bobby Rahal is expecting his team's new aerodynamic improvements to move them up into a challenging position with two Honda-engined rivals.
Pollock calls for joint Honda work
CRAIG POLLOCK, managing director of British American Racing, has said that his team and Jordan must work together to get the best from engine supplier Honda.
Villeneuve says future is with BAR
JACQUES VILLENEUVE has targeted a top-three placing for British American Racing after pledging his allegiance to the Brackley-based team.