Friday March 29th, 2002
Fogged Up
Two of the most influential men in the career of World Champion Michael Schumacher were involved in an air incident on their way to the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend when their British Airways flight from London Heathrow aborted its landing at Sao Paulo international airport. Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn and Schumacher's former boss Flavio Briatore were both on the 777 plane which came within metres of the runway before deciding the fog was too thick to land.
The flight had to divert to a local airport, Campinas, which is in the north of Sao Paulo, 100 km away from the initial destination. It is believed Briatore requested a helicopter to rush him to the circuit as others, including many British journalists as well as PR people from a number of different teams, waited for the plane to refuel. Briatore did not get his wish, however, and the plane eventually arrived in Sao Paulo three and a half hours late.
Famous Names
The Interlagos pitlane was flooded with former and, potentially, future Brazilian Formula One stars when the Grand Prix circus showed up on Thursday. Nelson Piquet, World Champion with Brabham in 1981 and 1983, and with Williams in 1987, was seen chatting to Jaguar boss Niki Lauda, and former Grand Prix journeyman Roberto Moreno brought his usual smile to the narrow Interlagos pitlane. The Brazilian driver raced for eight teams - AGS, Coloni, Eurobrun, Benetton, Jordan, Minardi, Andrea Moda and Forti - during his six seasons in Formula One that spanned eight years. And Williams hopeful Antonio Pizzonia was doing the rounds as he prepared for his home Formula 3000 race, the first of the season.
Frankly Speaking
British American Racing is hiding nothing from view after new team boss David Richards made dramatic cuts in staff following a disastrous beginning to the 2002 season. Times are not good at the Brackley-based team, with no scores in any round so far, and despite Jacques Villeneuve's apparent contentment with the team changes the press booklet, which is issued by BAR before every race, bluntly stated: "Two races gone, no points and only a single finish to shout about. It's not exactly been an ideal start to the season for Lucky Strike BAR Honda." The team are just hoping that positive past showings from drivers Villeneuve and Olivier Panis will lead them to a good finish this time around.
Safety in Low-Profile
With the constant threat of safety problems at Brazil, it was rumoured teams had been asked to remain incognito when travelling to and from the circuit. After several Williams team members were held up at a set of traffic lights last year, all people involved in the Formula One circus were cautious over the chance of problems.
Ralf Schumacher admitted: "I'm not very happy to be here in some ways. The best you can be after five o'clock at night is be in a bullet-proof car. I'm not really used to that so I don't see it as normal." But for Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, caution will ensure safety. "In Brazil the only thing you have to take care of is don't go out with gold around your neck. That's the only thing I can say!"
Olympic Move
Jordan's Head of Corporate Communications Giselle Davies will leave the Silverstone-based squad after five years to take up a new post at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
"I have really enjoyed working at Jordan these past five years," said Davies. "I have seen a lot of interesting times including the team's first victory, drivers starting their careers with us such as Ralf Schumacher and Takuma Sato, and also the retirements of greats like Damon Hill and Jean Alesi.
"I will have a lot of fond memories, especially of the fun and camaraderie within the team, and there has never been a dull moment with Eddie! Even though I will be involved in a very different sporting arena with the IOC, I will continue to follow Formula One closely and, of course, rooting for Jordan."
32-year old Davies, who joined Jordan at the start of 1997, will become the IOC's new director of communications, and Jordan are yet to announce who will replace her.
Published at 17:33:29 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
