Sunday June 10th, 2001
Naomi Flav-Our of the Month
Despite recent reports alleging that supermodel Naomi Campbell has been enjoying the company of American R&B artist Puff Daddy in New York over the last month, it appears her relationship with Benetton boss Flavio Briatore has not suffered as she made a return to the Grand Prix paddock this weekend. And it was clear she has not lost her popularity with the media as she was continuously followed around by hoards of photographers.
But Campbell was not the only celebrity at the Montreal circuit. Academy Award winner Nicholas Cage made a brief appearence and hanged around the British American Racing pit.
Walkinshaw Looks to Exert Power
Tom Walkinshaw revealed he has a long-term contract with his Asiatech engine suppliers, but continuing the current trend of taking a contract, putting it through a shredder and saying goodbye, he also revealed that he could snap up a new engine supplier by the end of the season. "When you come to a circuit like this, you can see the difference between the really powerful engines to the ones that are lacking a little bit," said Walkinshaw.
"And now Asiatech have got to focus on getting some real power. They've promised us that we'll have an upgrade in about a month's time but I don't really know how much that's going to be." He is believed to be looking for an engine that will give him more power that the re-badged and developed Peugeot engines, and it could happen within the next five weeks.
More Money for the FIA
Once more there have been several naughty drivers not sticking to the strict FIA speed limits within the pit lane, and this time it was Sauber's Nick Heidfeld and Pedro de la Rosa's Arrows who were the ones to blame. Heidfeld was given a $500 (US Dollars) slap on the wrists for being just 1.1 km/h over the limit, while De la Rosa's fine was tripled because he was 6 km/h faster than he should have been. But De la Rosa clearly did not learn from his initial mistake as, in the very next session, he did it again and although he was only 1.3 km/h too hasty he was another $1,000 (US Dollars) lighter because it was a repeat offence.
Who's Got the Power?
As the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve shows up the inadequacies on the Formula One engine front, the team's which are struggling in that area are quickly making sure the world - and their engine suppliers - knows they are looking for improvements. Benetton are one team which is continuously promising improvements in the future and once again, Giancarlo Fisichella assured his and the team's fans that things will soon improve but seemed confused as to when it will arrive.
"There's a big step maybe for the next race - I'm not sure - but especially for Magny Cours - as you know - there is a big jump on power," he said. "It's difficult to say where those improvements will put us but maybe in the top ten. That's the target." And, Giancarlo, that is a big jump.
(03-11-2005): 
