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News from the Paddock - Japanese GP

Have Williams tested the 2001-spec Bridgestone tyres? An extraordinary story is doing the rounds in Grand Prix racing that the team tested next year's tyres at Estoril recently, even though Williams will become a Michelin-sponsored team in 2001. Both Yoshihiko Ichikawa, Bridgestone's technical manager, and Williams's technical director Patrick Head deny that the team tested the tyres recently. But sources close to both say that they did. Williams did take tyres to be used in Japan and Malaysia to Estoril, and it's even suggested that they were given unmounted 2001 tyres and that they may well have allowed Michelin to look at them. Another suggestion is that it was a plan by Bridgestone to check the competitiveness of their 2001 tyres against the Michelins, because Williams have already tested at the Portuguese circuit on the French tyres, and a comparison between times would given an indication of how competitive they are.

Have Williams tested the 2001-spec Bridgestone tyres? An extraordinary story is doing the rounds in Grand Prix racing that the team tested next year's tyres at Estoril recently, even though Williams will become a Michelin-sponsored team in 2001. Both Yoshihiko Ichikawa, Bridgestone's technical manager, and Williams's technical director Patrick Head deny that the team tested the tyres recently. But sources close to both say that they did. Williams did take tyres to be used in Japan and Malaysia to Estoril, and it's even suggested that they were given unmounted 2001 tyres and that they may well have allowed Michelin to look at them. Another suggestion is that it was a plan by Bridgestone to check the competitiveness of their 2001 tyres against the Michelins, because Williams have already tested at the Portuguese circuit on the French tyres, and a comparison between times would given an indication of how competitive they are.

Mercedes are confident that Ilmor have solved the pneumatic valve problem that caused Mika Hakkinen to retire from the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Norbert Haug said that many parts had to be built for the engines and that it was difficult to monitor them all, but since then, they have done two race distances per day in testing without problems. He suggested that the problem with the pneumatic valves was caused by a faulty batch.

Arrows will be testing the new AMT engine from October 10th to 12th. The AMT is the engine that they will be using next year, which is being developed by the current Peugeot engine department in France. Asian Motor Technologies have been working with Peugeot prior to their full takeover at the end of the year, and were eager to test with the Arrows who they will be supplying next year prior to the testing moratorium in November.

The US Grand Prix at Indianapolis has turned out to be extremely popular with spectators in spite of bad publicity from traditionalists in the middle American press. During the race, much was made of Formula One's 'invasion' of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which upset fans of the circuit which has so much history, heritage and tradition. It was pointed out that Spa, for instance, wouldn't suddenly build an oval if CART wanted to race there, so why should the IMS succumb to Formula One's demands. But since the Grand Prix, tickets for next year's race have been selling fast, and a tour company which brought over 1000 spectators from around the States and Canada to the race reports that they will probably be sold out for next year's event by Christmas this year.

While Alain Prost now looks certain to remain at the head of his eponymous team, the next level of management is undergoing review, and favourite to take over management is Joan Villadelprat. Sources say that it is here where the necessity lies to restructure the team, with a number of staff members who are incapable of organising the team to meet the demands of Grand Prix racing in 2000. Prost, however, has been unwilling to sack some of the less effective members of management, but the former Benetton man would insist on a clean sweep if he were to take over. He has considerable factory management experience as well as racing expertise.

Suzuka has a new pitlane entry this year. It is positioned after the final chicane, whereas it was positioned before it in the past. The problem with the old pitlane entry, according to FIA safety delegate Charlie Whiting, was that it was bordered by armco, and that the entry was very quick. There was a severe possibility that a driver could crash into the barrier and sustain injury. The new entry is positioned after the chicane so cars are going that much slower, although the entry is on the exit of the chicane. However, Whiting said that no complaints had been received from the drivers.

Johnny Herbert was fined $3,000 for speeding in the pit lane during Saturday morning’s practice session at Suzuka. He was timed at 72km/h, which is 12km/h faster than the limit. At $250 per km/h it's his first offence this year so he is relieved of $3000. It is the 26th fine that the FIA has awarded this year.

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