Formula One News — April 1998

AFTER the Brazilian Grand Prix the majority of the Grand Prix circus stayed in South America for a few days of rest on Brazil's beaches or at the tourist centers in Argentina and Uruguay.

AS Formula 1 teams get their first real break of the season - there is little happening in Grand Prix circles in Europe between the two South American races - team bosses are beginning to realize why it is that McLaren-Mercedes has enjoyed such domination in the first two races of the year.

WITHIN the last few days German car manufacturer BMW has agreed terms to buy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars from its parent company, Vickers for $572m. Rolls-Royce is one of the world's most prestigious car-makers and there are rumors that the BMW management is worried that the takeover may serve to water down Rolls-Royce's image as being the luxury car for the rich and famous. BMW has said it intends to expand production from the current 2000 cars per year but reckons that the Rolls-Royce brand is strong enough to survive a little expansion.

IN a move which is very similar to the BAR plans, McLaren has announced that it is to support a number of drivers at different levels of the sport, all of them running with the same basic liveries as the Formula 1 team.

AS we predicted last September Jean-Christophe Boullion has been signed up to be test driver for the planned British American Racing team in 1999.

IN the wake of the sale of Rolls Royce Motor Cars to BMW, there have been suggestions in F1 circles that the competition for the prestigious car manufacturer will soon be mirrored in F1. There were six groups bidding for Rolls-Royce including three major German car manufacturers: BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

THE West McLaren Mercedes team has scored maximum points in the first two Grands Prix of the season and the Woking team's domination is complete. As a result Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard were given some time off last week following a hectic few weeks of racing and testing. After finishing 1-2 in Brazil Hakkinen took off for a quiet holiday in Uruguay while Coulthard headed for Miami.

WHILE the Grand Prix circus was busy in Brazil FIA President Max Mosley was continuing his battle against the European Commission's Competition Directorate.