30 October 1997 Three managers of Sias, the company which manages the race track at Monza, went on trial yesterday accused of widening the escape route of the Roggia bend in 1994 without the authorisation of the authorities.
30 October 1997 Frank Williams testified at the trial for Senna's death. Head and Newey, who appeared in court, chose not to answer any questions. First Williams was asked about his role in the Willaims team. He looks after the economics of the team, he replied, while Head is the technical manager and Newey was the chief designer. Then Williams added that he does not know when the changes to the steering column were made, but that Senna wanted more space in the car.
Williams then said that he does not know who had designed the modifications to the steering column. Passarini reminded him that in 1994 he had said that the original steering column and the modified one had been realised under the management of Head. Williams confirmed he said so, but that even at the time he was not sure whether this really was the case. Passarini then asked whether the space inside Senna's car was the only problem and Williams replied that after each race Senna used to write a 2-3 pages report suggesting changes to improve the car. At the time he (Williams) had not been informed of the changes to the steering column. He was then asked when he found out about them and he replied that he's not sure, either before or after the accident. Williams then added that Senna wanted to have lots of things changed and was very demanding. He also wanted a bigger steering wheel. At the time the Williams car was not perfect and was difficult to drive, but Senna had never complained about the difficulty of driving it, all he really wanted was more space to be less tired in the second half of the GPs. Passarini then asked whether the same changes were carried out on the other cars and Williams replied that he believes they were carried out on Senna's spare car and on Hill's car too.
Passarini then examined Williams on all details of the accident and also asked whether the telemetry of Senna's car had been checked after the accident and before the following start. Williams replied taht he thought so, because the Williams engineers use that type of data a lot. Williams was then asked what opinion they formed of the accident and he said that after several simulations and tests they reached the conclusion that the steering column had not broken. Before the simulations they did not have an opinion because the tests were carried out immediately. They were nonetheless open to any possible explanation, such as steering column, tyres, suspensions, human error. Passarini then asked why they decided to change the steering columns after the accident and Williams said that they wanted to be extra sure. Asked whether they had doubts, Williams replied that they did, which is the reason why there is a trial going on and that they want to find out the truth.
Passarini said that the Williams engineers have admitted that the steering column showed stress signs in 3/4 of the circumference and at least 40% of the section. Williams replied that he was not aware of this data. Passarini asked him what he would have done, had he had this information and Williams said that there is nothing more dangerous in F1 than to involve in technical decision someone who is not an expert like himself, or like Passarini too. Passarini insisted asking Williams whether he would have allowed Senna to race, had he known about the stress on the steering column and Williams said that other cars, such as Ferrari and McLaren, have sufferen from stress fractures. Passarini then asked about the yellow button on Senna's steering wheel and the images from the on-board camera. At this point the defense managed to make the judge stop Passarini's examination before Williams replied.
Williams said afterwards that he thought both the judge and the prosecution had treated him well and he is confident in the future. He does not fear a sentence and has no plans to boycott the Italian GPs should things go bad for him. He added that this is not the first time he is in a court of justice, in 1966 he had already been called as a witness. The press asked him how he feels, having gone from World Champion to guilty part within 3 days and Williams said that he leads a very interesting life. He thinks that the accident was caused by a loss of control caused by the cooling down of the tyres and that Senna could not correct the angle of impact because when he lost control at high speed the first instinct is to brake sharply, rather than turn.
Next hearing is on November the 7th.
29 October 1997 Michael and Ralf Schumacher's parents, Elisabeth and Rolf, have announced that they are getting divorced after 30 years. They had kept the fact secret to avoid worrying their sons before the Jerez GP.
29 October 1997 In the key session of the Senna trial Head and Newey have taken advantage of the right of not answering any questions asked them by the judge and either of the parties. The announcement that Head and Newey would not answer was given by their two lawyers.
29 October 1997 In the new hearing of Senna trial David Coulthard testified for the defence and Alboreto for the prosecution. The prosecution was not allowed to call Tarquini and Lavaggi as witnesses. Coulthard had said that the movements of the steering wheel in Senna's car were normal. The Scot was examined by lawyer Gandossi (defense). The driver said that at the time it was normal that a steering wheel would move like that. He added that nowadays, with the new regulations, the steering wheel is more rigid. The flexibility, in the order of 20 mm, was due to the use of carbon fiber. It was normal that the hands would touch the chassis, in fact the drivers used special reinforced gloves to protect the hands.
Gandossi asked Coulthard whether he ever sat in Senna's car. Coulthard said he had and that the movement of the steering wheel was the same as in other Williams cars. The flexibility of the steering wheel can depend on the speed, particularly on the lateral acceleration, and on the conditions of the track, or on the pressure applied by the driver according to his driving position. Coultahrd was then asked his opinion on the Tamburello bend. He said the bend was "terrifying" to whoever tackled it for the first time, then you got used to it. Coulthard said he slowed down there in the first laps.
Coulthard was then examined by the prosecution. Passarini asked Coulthard whether the steering column moved as well as the steering wheel. Coulthard replied that he thought it did, but he was unable to say for sure. He never carried out a test of this type because he never drove without a steering wheel. The magistrate then asked why the Tamburello was "terrifying" and the Scot replied that any driver who takes a bend at 300 km/h must control his fear to avoid making mistakes. Passarini asked what problems there were there and Coultahrd said that it was very fast and there were bumps.
A Williams video was presented, showing Coulthard in a FW16 in a Williams lab which shows the movement of the steering wheel. The video contains the spoken comment of Coulthard, who can be heard saying that he finds nothing unusual in the movement of the steering wheel and that he has a great respect for Williams' quality. Alboreto was called to comment on the video. The Italian driver said that to him the movements look abnormal and that he never drove a car with a steering wheel like that. It might be normal for Williams, he added, but not for him. The defense then tried to discredite Alboreto's reputation by quoting some statement Alboreto had made about the F1 world and which were printed in the Gazzetta dello Sport. Alboreto confirmed he had made those statement.
Today the key session will take place, with the examination of Williams, Head and Newey.
29 October 1997 Michael Schumacher admitted that he has "made a mistake" when he caused the accident at Jerez and that he will never repeat the same error. He still maintains that he did not mean to hit Villeneuve's car. He said to be ready to meet the FIA and face the consequences. M. Schumacher also said to have spoken to Villeneuve and clarified the situation with him.
28 October 1997 Today the Senna trial restarts. Today D. Coulthard will testify, but the key session is expected to be tomorrow, when Frank Willaims, Patrick Head and Adrian Newey will testify.
28 October 1997 M. Schumacher has been summoned to appear in front of the World Motor Sport Council after a report from the European GP race director. The session will take place in Paris on November the 11th at 9.30am.
27 October 1997 After viewing recordings of the accident between M. Schumacher and Villeneuve and interviewing the two drivers the marshalls decided that it was a genuine race accident. This means that M. Schumacher will not be penalised.
26 October 1997 The last race of the 1997 season was the one that decided the Drivers championship. The two contenders for the title (M. Schumacher and J. Villeneuve) started from the front line, after the two of them and Frentzen clocked exactly the same time in qualifying (1'21"072). This is the first time ever three drivers clock excatly the same best time in qualifying. Villeneuve was given the pole position because he was the first one to obtain it, M. Schumacher was second on the front line and Frentzen started from the second line. M. Schumacher took the lead and kept it until the first pit stop (M. Schumacher and Villeneuve pitted one after the other), when he was slowed down by Frentzen (who had not stopped). This allowed Villeneuve to catch up M. Schumacher and after the second pit stop he was on the Ferrari's tail. When M. Schumacher overtook his brother Ralf speculation arose on whether the Jordan driver would try to help his older brother but he had smoke coming out of his car and let Villeneuve through, retiring soon afterwards. M. Schumacher appeared to have trouble with the car so, when Villeneuve tried to overtake him, he rammed the side of the Williams to take it out. This did not have the desired effect and M. Schumacher had to retire, while Villeneuve carried on despite problems with the handling of his car. On the last lap Villeneuve let Hakkinen and Coultahrd through giving the Finnish driver his first win. After the race it was revealed that this manouvre had been agreed between the Williams and McLaren crews in the garages. The winner of the race was Hakkinen, second was Coulthard, third Villeneuve, who secured the Drivers Championship, fourth was Berger on his last F1 race, fifth Irvine and sixth Frentzen. This was the last race for Japanese driver Katayama, who (like Berger) has announced his retirement. This race also saw the death of a hero, with M. Schumacher choosing to lose his face in an attempt not to lose the Championship.
23 October 1997 Bernie Ecclestone warned M. Schumacher and Villeneuve to play fair at Jerez. If the race ends with an accident, the guilty drivers will risk disqualification for 1998 and a fine.
21 October 1997 Gianni Morbidelli, who had already missed the Japanese GP following a hit on his arm during an accident in the qualifying session, has not recovered completely and will not compete in the European GP on Sunday. His place will be taken by Argentinian Norberto Fontana.
16 October 1997 Williams have decided not to go along with Villeneuve's appeal. The Canadian loses the two points he gained with his fifth place in Japan and is overtaken by M. Schumacher who takes the lead in the Drivers Championship.
16 October 1997 Arrows have confirmed that they will keep the Yamaha engines next season.
16 October 1997 Gerhard Berger (38) is expected to announce tomorrow in Vienna that he intends to retire as F1 driver. He might take up consultancy jobs with the F1 teams.
15 October 1997 Max Mosley warned Williams that, if they go along with the appeal, Villeneuve risks losing the two points from Japan and being suspended from the European GP, which would make M. Schumacher automatically the World Champion.
14 October 1997 The FIA will decide on 21 October whether Villeneuve's appeal will be upheld or not.
13 october 1997 Ukyo Katayama is retiring from F1 at the end of the current season.
12 October 1997 A great race by the two Ferrari drivers, who showed a synchronisation and team work seldom found in F1 teams. Irvine started from the 2nd row and on lap 2 he flew past Hakkinen, team mate M. Schumacher and, on lap 3, J. Villeneuve to lead the race. The Irish driver, on a light car, started accumulating distance between himself and the rest of the pack at a remarkable rate, on lap 6 he was 12 seconds ahead of Villeneuve. M. schumacher kept on the heels of the Canadian and overtook him in the pits. At this point Irvine started slowing down and allowed M. Schumacher and Villeneuve to reach up. In a perfect move he then allowed M. Schumacher to pass him, but managed to keep Villeneuve bahind. The manouvre was particularly difficult because M. Schumacher and Villeneuve were very close together. After allowing M. Schumacher in the lead, Irvine started slowing down Villenueve, giving his team mate the chance to build up a good advantage in the lead. The only glitch in the Ferrari plan came at the second pit stops, when Irvine failed to come out in front of Frentzen, which meant that Williams mathematically won the Constructors championship with one race to go. M. Schumacher maintained the lead to win, despite being slowed down by Damon Hill at the very last stage of the race which allowed Frentzen to come dangerously close to the leading Ferrari, so that M. Schumacher crossed the finishing line a fraction of a second ahead of the Williams driver. Irvine was third, Hakkinen was fourth and Villeneuve, who had been slowed down by problems with a nozzle in the second pit stop, was only fifth. Sixth was Alesi. Today's performance from the two Ferrari drivers reopens the compatition for the Drivers Championship, which will be decided at the last race of the season in Jerez in two weeks time. The Japanese GP also showed what Irvine could do and dispelled all speculation that he might be substituted by Berger next year because of poor performance. After the race M. Schumacher said that he owed his victory to Irvine and that the Irishman is a great team mate. Irvine said he would not have given up his lead volontarily, had the Drivers championship not been at stake. J. Villeneuve now leads the championship by one point, but the two points he gained in Japan might still be taken away when the appeal against his race suspension is heard.
12 Octonber 1997 Morbidelli suffered a broken arm during practice and will not take part in the Japanese GP.
11 October 1997 J. Villeneuve was penalised for ignoring a yellow flag during the morning practice session. Since he already has a suspended 9 race ban, he could not be taking part in the Japanese GP. Williams has appealed against the ban so that Villeneuve can race, but if Williams then loses the appeal, Villeneuve will lose any points gained in Japan.
10 October 1997 Pirelli, which is due to get back into F1 in the year 2000, might anticipate its return by one season. Ferrari's contract with Goodyear expires at the end of 1998. Luca di Montezemolo and Mario Tronchetti Provera (administrator of Pirelli) met last week and discussed the possibility of Pirelli supplying tyres to Ferrari.
9 October 1997 Jan Magnussen has been officially confirmed at Stewart.
9 October 1997 New rules for 1998:
All cars which will not have the tyres already on when the sign indicating 5 minutes to the start is exposed will have to start from the pits or from the back of the grid. If it starts to rain after the sign has been exposed it will be up to the race director to decide whether the tyres can be changed.
The number of sets of tyres that can be used has been increased from 9 to 10. Each team will be able to bring along only three types of wet tyres (before there was no limit). The maximum number of laps in the free practice has been abolish (no limit to the number of laps). When racing on new tracks the extra day of practice has been abolished. There will still be free practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday.
The minimum width of the tyres has been set to 305 mm for the front tyres and 365 for the back tyres. Two on-board cameras will be mounted on each car, the rear view mirrors will be bigger (12x5 cm instead of 10x5), while drivers who stop will have to get out of the car and put the steering wheel back in place within 10 seconds.
For the first time the formula to calculate the payment to F1 teams is published in the regulations.
8 October 1997 The French GP has been dropped from the 1998 calendar because of a disagreement between the FIA and the French TV channels. Earlier in the year a French tribunal had ruled that all the channels had the right to broadcast live any race taking place on the national territory. This conflicted with FIA selling the rights to broadcast to individual channels. The French GP might still be reintroduced if the French government will approve a law that allows FIA to sell the right to broadcast the GP. A gap in the calendar has been conveniently left in between the Canadian and the British GPs.
7 October 1997 Tyrrell test driver Tora Takagi will take the driving seat in 1998. Verstappen has not been confirmed yet.
6 October 1997 Gerhard Berger has denied rumours that he might return to Ferrari to sobstitute Eddie Irvine, who has not performed too well in the 1997 season. He is going to announce his plans in between the Japanese and European GPs.
3 October 1997 Frank Williams, Patrick Head and Adrian Newey were unable to find rooms at Imola and could not therefore attend the hearing of the trial for the death of Ayrton Senna.
Last updated on 29 October 1997 by Federica Massagrande