News from the Paddock - French GP

The FIA has made something of a gaff with the front cover of the French Grand Prix's official press pack stating that Ferrari are World Constructors champions of this year. The front cover shows the bare shoulder of a driver with a tattoo, in a circle, featuring the words: Ferrari the Formula 1 Constructor's champions 2000. So that's it then...

Reports that Benetton will be running Renault-badged engines in 2001 are not yet confirmed, according to a Benetton spokeswoman. While admitting that "no decision has been taken," Julia Hordern said that "at the time of the team's purchase, the plan was that the cars would be Benetton-Supertecs in 2001 and, as far as I know, nothing has changed." Although the official line is still that Renault's 2001 engine will be called a Supertec, unofficially it is thought that the engine will actually become a Renault when it is announced. "It will be a new engine, newly designed, and I can't see it being called anything else - it doesn't make sense." said a source inside Benetton.

Reports suggest that the complicated lineage of Benetton's power supply will change in 2001. Currently, the Renault-designed engines are built and maintained by Mecachrome but are marketed by Supertec and badged as Playlife, a Benetton trade name. But with the purchase of the team by Renault, there is no need for them to continue to use the Benetton name. However, Flavio Briatore, as well as being the boss of Benetton, is also the boss of Supertec, and may want to continue to use the name, or Renault may prefer to badge their own engines. A new engine is expected next year, and another high-tec engine is expected in 2002 when the team becomes all Renault.

The search for available power units may not be quite as severe as some team principals would have journalists believe. Both Tom Walkinshaw and Alain Prost have been talking about their search for engines to use next year with Prost, reportedly 'very worried' and Walkinshaw commenting "We'll just keep our heads down, I think it will be OK." Walkinshaw is actually expected to use the Renault Mecachrome Supertec successor to this year's V10, because Renault appears willing to supply two teams. The problem, however, seems to be that Renault wants a three-year commitment. A similar problem faces Prost. He could use Ferrari engines - the Italian team is apparently willing to supply three teams, that would be another customer in addition to Sauber. But again, a long term contract of at least three years is required and they don't come cheap at reportedly $27 million for the first year, rising thereafter. Prost is unwilling to commit at this stage.

Michael Schumacher is due to play soccer in Rome next Saturday night when the Nazionale Piloti team for which he now plays meets the German National team that won the World Cup in 1990. Among Michael's potential team-mates are Riccardo Patrese, Jarno Trulli and Giancalo Fisichella and they will face such German heroes such as Lothar Matthaus, Rudi Voller, Andreas Brehme and Pierre Littborski. Last weekend, playing for his old club, FZ Aubonne, Michael scored two goals in the 9-1 victory over a Nike team. But Michael has now left Aubonne, along with the coach and about 12 other players, to play for FC Echichens.

Florists in Nevers, the nearest large town to Magny-Cours, have reported a big demand for red roses to be sent to Michael Schumacher. A fan from nearby Bourges has ordered a bouquet of 56 red roses for the former World Champion.

Gaston Mazzacane was the latest driver to be fined for speeding in the pit lane when he was timed at 63.4 kph in qualifying and was docked US$1000 for this, his first offence. It was the 12th speeding offence of the year.

Peter Sauber has commissioned three French ice sculptors to produce a full-sized replica of the Sauber C19 in ice at the Magny-Cours circuit on Sunday. They will start at 07:00am with five tons of ice to create a three ton replica in four hours. It will be exhibited after the drivers' parade and is due to be inaugurated in the presence of Sauber, his two drivers and Mr Tan Sri Azizan, chairman of Petronas.

Jos Verstappen is back to using his regular maroon and silver helmet after briefly using an all-orange scheme at the Canadian Grand Prix. That was in honour of the Dutch national soccer team, Jos said that he would continue wearing it for as long as the Dutch were still in the European Cup. When they were knocked out by Italy on Thursday, the helmet was consigned to history. Tom Walkinshaw was rather upset about it. "It may not have been lucky for the soccer team," said the Arrows boss, "but it was quite lucky for us." Verstappen finished fifth in Canada.