News from the Paddock - Austrian GP

Gerhard Berger gave the first official indication that Jenson Button will leave BMW WilliamsF1 when admitting that he is looking forward to seeing Sir Frank Williams explain away his sacking of the young Briton and the signing of Colombian superstar, Juan Pablo Montoya. Berger's words seem to suggest that it was a deal that had been done and that Button would be out of his Williams drive in 2001, although it has yet to be confirmed.

David Coulthard's plea for clarification regarding drivers changing direction at the start of a Grand Prix was turned down by FIA officials at the A1-Ring. Coulthard attempted to get a ruling following incidents earlier this year both at Imola and two weeks ago at the French Grand Prix when Michael Schumacher moved over on him at the start. Coulthard voiced his objections then, and said that he would attempt to raise the matter at the drivers briefing on Friday afternoon at the A1-Ring, but his request fell on deaf ears. Ralf Schumacher entered the debate earlier in the day when he said that it all depends on a driver's ethics, even outside the car, and if he brings those ethics to his driving. Coulthard had avoided naming Michael Schumacher but referred to 'an obstruction' when describing the incidents.

Jordan Grand Prix is to celebrate its 10th year in Formula One at the Deutsche Post EJ10 day at Donington Park, England, on September 3. Among the host of stars present will be John Watson and Andrea de Cesaris who will drive the team's original Jordan-Ford 191 Formula One car around the circuit. Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Jarno Trulli will demonstrate the 2000 racecar. Watson became the first ever driver of a Jordan Formula One car when he shook down chassis 001 at Silverstone in the autumn of 1990. He also tested the team's second car as well, the Jordan-Yamaha 192. De Cesaris drove for the team in 1991 and he earned Jordan's first World Championship points when he finished fourth in the Canadian Grand Prix in front of fifth placed team-mate Bertrand Gachot. He has apparently asked for the Jordan-Ford 191 to be prepared in qualifying set-up for the showpiece. Accordingly, Eddie Jordan is appreciative that Donington Park offers excellent safety facilities with large run-off areas and gravel traps...

Michael Schumacher will still head the Drivers Championship whatever happens on Sunday but if he sets fastest lap, he becomes the all time record holder, pushing joint-holder Alain Prost into second place. If Michael wins, he goes into equal second place in the all time rankings with Ayrton Senna. However, David Coulthard might have a reasonable claim too, the Scot has finished second in this race for the last three years.

Weekend milestones: this will be David Coulthard's 100th Grand Prix. At the other end of the scale of experience, it will be the 10th for Jenson Button and Gaston Mazzacane, but only the ninth for the other GP newcomer Nick Heidfeld who did not race at the Nurburgring. It was Jarno Trulli's 26th birthday on the Thursday before the race. This is McLaren's 108th pole position, Hakkinen's 25th. Sixth is Ricardo Zonta's best ever grid position, by two slots, and 13th is Nick Heidfeld's best ever grid position, also by two places. And, of course, 21st is Luciano Burti's best GP grid place...