JUNE 10, 1996

...but quickest at Silverstone

MARTIN BRUNDLE emerged fastest during last week's two days of testing at Silverstone.

MARTIN BRUNDLE emerged fastest during last week's two days of testing at Silverstone. The test saw Benetton, Tyrrell, Jordan and Arrows all in action - while the other F1 teams stayed in Barcelona. Ferrari was in action at Imola.

The Silverstone test saw unusually warm weather conditions - a pleasant change for the teams who are used to the rain and winds of the Northamptonshire track.

Brundle's fastest lap was a 1m28.99s, which was well clear of the two Benettons of Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger who recorded laps of 1m29.74s and 1m29.87s respectively. Benetton's test driver Vincenzo Sospiri was also given a few laps in a B196.

Tyrrell concentrated on development work and did not go for fast times, and the team was pleased with Mika Salo's fourth fastest time, while test driver Emmanuel Collard had his first long-distance runs with the Tyrrell, trying to track down problems with the engine. He completed 30 laps.

Ricardo Rosset was finally able to get some testing for Arrows which can only have helped the young Brazilian who has been struggling all season because the team has not been able to afford to run him. The Silverstone test, if nothing else, will have given Ricardo's confidence a much-needed boost.