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.