Formula One: Stewart-Ford Notes, Italian Grand Prix
13 September 1998
STEWART-FORD NOTES AND QUOTES1998 Italian Grand Prix - Monza
Sunday 13th September: RACE
Rubens finished 10th but was deprived of a higher finish by a troublesome fuel flap at each of his two pit stops.
Jos drove a consistent race and ran as high as 9th before he retired after 39 laps with a gearbox problem.
Paul Stewart, Managing Director:
'The race was a mixed bag for us. It was pleasing to get a top 10 finish for Rubens but a disappointing end to the weekend for Jos. Rubens clearly had a chance to finish eighth but the first pit stop cost us about 30 seconds when the fuel flap wouldn't open. He was running 11th at the time and holding his own in the battle with Frentzen. He had the same problem at the second stop, so if you add up the two stops, the time we lost meant he could have challenged for a couple of places higher up the finishing order. Brakes were always going to be a factor on a fast, low downforce circuit like Monza and Rubens obviously struggled towards the end with brake wear. Jos had driven a competitive race until we retired him with a gearbox temperature problem. We will look towards the Silverstone test next week to make further improvements ahead of the Luxembourg Grand Prix.'
Martin Whitaker, Ford European Director of Motorsport::
'On a circuit as hard as Monza and in a race where nearly half the field didn't finish it was good to see Rubens in the top 10. It completed what has been a trouble-free weekend from an engine point of view.'
