Formula One News — January 2001

JAMES ROBINSON, the former senior operations engineer at Williams, is understood to have joined British American Racing in a senior engineering role.

EVER since the Formula 1 authorities crossed swords with the British government a few years ago about just how important the British motorsport industry has become, there have been question marks.

EDDIE IRVINE believes he will find it hard to win another grand prix as he prepares himself for a second year of turmoil at Jaguar Racing.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO has kicked off the round of Ferrari press conferences during the traditional Marlboro week at Madonna di Campiglio in the Italian Dolomites by announcing that he is ready to give battle in 2001.

ARROWS unveiled their new three-seater concept on Thursday, with the promise that it will be the closest Formula One fans will get to the experiences of the sport.

SAUBER have confirmed that they are continuing to test their C20 car at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit today (Thursday).

JACKIE STEWART is approaching all three main political parties in Britain in an effort to convince politicians of every persuasion that the country's motor racing industry is worthy of additional support from those who wield the levers of power - and may do so in the future.

BRITAIN's Motor Sport Industry Association seized the initiative on the opening day of the Autosport International Show, by announcing the initial results of a survey on the scale, scope and future of the sport in the UK.

TRIPLE WORLD CHAMPION Jackie Stewart has said his dream of turning Silverstone into the best motorsport venue in the world will not happen unless the British Government help with the £110 million (pounds) funding for the project.

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA, in his Benetton-Renault, topped the times after the third day of testing at the Jerez circuit, Spain on Wednesday.

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING became the first Formula One team to run their 2001 car at the Silverstone circuit on Wednesday.

THE Jordan team confirmed on Wednesday that they have signed a deal with German based athletic equipment company Puma.

BENETTON confirmed on Wednesday the signing of chief designer Mark Smith from the Jordan team.

GASTON MAZZACANE has plunged the Minardi team into further crisis after confirming a move to the Prost Grand Prix team for the 2001 season.

JAGUAR RACING Chief Executive Officer is continuing to play his cards close to his chest as Luciano Burti prepares to give the team's new R2 challenger its first shakedown run at Silverstone today (Wednesday).

BRAZILIAN Luciano Burti wants to match the performance of Jaguar team-mate Eddie Irvine, but is not confident of achieving his goals.

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING have announced their test driver line-up for the 2001 season with Briton Darren Manning retaining his position alongside French development driver Patrick Lemarie.

ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY has this week taken firm steps to secure its future after management and building problems have threatened the future of the first British CART oval track which is scheduled to hold a round of the US Champcar series this year.

GERMAN Ralf Schumacher continued his dominance on the second day of testing at Jerez on Tuesday as he powered his BMW-Williams to the top of the timesheets.

JAGUAR RACING is out to "seek respectability" in the F1 pit lanes and has to face the reality that success may take some time to achieve, warned the team's chief executive officer Bobby Rahal at the launch of the Jaguar R2 grand prix challenger this morning (Tuesday) where communications giant AT&T was also confirmed as a new sponsor.

DATA communications company AT&T have agreed a major three-year global sponsorship deal with the Jaguar team.

JENSON BUTTON has said he is pleased with his level of fitness after attending Benetton's training camp in Lanzarote.

BMW-WILLIAMS driver Ralf Schumacher topped the times on the first day of testing at Jerez on Monday.

JENSON BUTTON would have rammed Damon Hill off the road had he been competing in the 1994 Australian Grand Prix - if it meant his winning the World Championship.

JORDAN GRAND PRIX announced on Monday that the launch of their 2001 world championship challenger will be screened live on the Internet.