FERRARI RUNS AT FIORANO

The Ferrari team has been testing at Fiorano since Monday when Luca Badoer
began at the wheel of a short chassis F300. It is expected, although not
yet finalised, that the team will use the short chassis cars at Suzuka. On
the first day it was initially wet, then only damp and Badoer completed 69
laps for a best time of 1m 10.275s. He was concentrating on testing new
components and a modified software starting programme. On Tuesday he
continued the programme in damp and wet conditions during which he
completed 105 laps. Eddie Irvine, who is still suffering from back ache,
took over on Wednesday when he tried a modified seat and completed 53 laps
for a best of 1m 2.850s. Michael Schumacher arrived on Thursday and drove
in conditions which varied between rain and sunshine, completing 40 laps
with a best of 1m 1.888s. The next session will be on Monday (12th) at
Fiorano followed by three days at Mugello with both regular drivers.
Amongst other things, a long engine development run is planned. Before
Schumacher arrived at Fiorano he completed his fifth appearace in the FIA
road safety campaign, this time in Warsaw. Two much such appearances in
Athens and Portugal remain on his schedule this year.


PROST TESTS NEW DEVELOPMENT CAR

The Prost-Peugeot team has been at Magny-Cours since Tuesday testing its
development car which is based on the AP01 chassis but fitted with the new
Peugeot engine and new gearbox for next season. Olivier Panis drove the car
on Tuesday and Wednesday after which Jarno Trulli took over for Thursday
and should continue today (Friday). The track was wet for much of the time
but both drivers reported that the car was much easier to drive and that
the gearbox was a great improvement as well.


WILLIAMS STAYS HOME

The Williams team stayed at its Grove headquarters this week preparing for
a possible test at Magny-Cours next week where Juan Pablo Montoya and Max
Wilson are expected to be at the wheel of the FW20s. The team also plans a
test at Silverstone on October 19/20 as a final pre-Japanese GP shakedown.


McLAREN AIMS FOR BARCELONA

The McLaren-Mercedes squad also stayed at home last week. "The first
time some of our engineers can remember being at the factory rather than at
a test or a race for some months," said a team member. Both Mika
Hakkinen and David Coulthard are expected to test at Barcelona on 14-16
October followed by another run at Silverstone on 19/20 October.


NO TESTING FOR BENETTON

The Benetton-Playlife team was another not to avail itself of any testing
this week. The team will be at Barcelona for three days next week starting
on 14 October.


JORDAN LINES UP SILVERSTONE

The Jordan Mugen-Honda team will not be straying far from home prior to the
Japanese Grand Prix. Although they did not test this week, they have two
outings planned at Silverstone, just across the road from their factory.
Ralf Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa will drive on 13/14 October with Damon
Hill taking over on 19/20 October.


STEWART TESTS F3 DRIVERS

Two days after taking part in the final round of the British F3
Championship, Paul Stewart Racing drivers Mario Haberfield and Luciano
Burti returned to Silverstone's international circuit to continue the
development programme for the Series 6 version of the Ford Zetec-R V10
engine and components for the Stewart SF3 for 1999. Haberfield, the new
British F3 Champion, drove on Tuesday morning on wet tyres while Burti took
over in the afternoon when improving weather conditions at least allowed
him to try intermediate rubber. No times were released by the team "as
it was their first outing at the international circuit and our aim was to
get mileage on the engine, the hydraulic differential and electronics as
well as eveluating some rain tyres," explained a team member. Jos
Verstappen is expected to test for the team at Silverstone on 14/15
October.


SAUBER SIGNS DINIZ

The Swiss Sauber-Petronas team has signed Brazil's Pedro Diniz on a one
year contract for 1999, replacing Johnny Herbert. Peter Sauber commented;
"His performance against highly rated team-mates such as Damon Hill
and Mika Salo have impressed us more than his links to financially strong
sponsorship partners." Diniz added; "It is my target to meet the
expectations in me of Peter Sauber as a racing driver." Sauber did not
test this week but will appear at Mugello from 20-22 October where Johnny
Herbert will drive the first day and Jean Alesi for the other two.


ARROWS AT HOME

The Arrows team did not test this week but has scheduled at a shakedown
with Mika Salo next week at Silverstone. There is no word on any
replacement driver for Pedro Diniz in 1999.

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