Belgian Grand Prix Preview

Villeneuve shines, Hill Falters

BY
Andrew Frankl
European Bureau Chief

For someone who has never ever been anywhere near the world's most difficult racing circuit Jacques Villeneuve did a might fine job Saturday afternoon. He qualified in pole position, ahead of his team-mate and great rival Damon Hill.

Michael Schumacher was third with a damaged right knee as a result of a biggish crash Friday afternoon. All credit to him for accepting the blame and for having a go 24 hours later.

The two Bennettons were off the pace yet again, Berger finishing fifth and Alesi seventh.

The surprise of the day was David Coulthard's excellent fourth place in the McLaren. The team is currently in the midst of negotiations with Marlboro and also with Damon Hill with a possibility of luring him away with a offer of 15 million dollars a year.

The track is without any doubt the finest in the world, fast, demanding and exciting for drivers and spectators alike. The race itself will probably be decided on t3he first corner of the first lap. This is a 1st gear hairpin just a 150 or so yards from the start. If the two protagonist collide then Schumacher will dominate until and if he droops out. If not a Williams victory is almost a certainty even though it would be nice to see a new face on the podium.

The Sauber-Ford team continues to struggle as does Tyrell with the hopeless Yamaha engine. The Forti team seems to have disappeared and with Lavaggi not qualifying the field is down to just 19 cars.

Bernie Ecclestone will have to do some fast thinking otherwise people will not pay horrendous prices to see just a few cars circulating as has been the case several times this year. Roll on Jacking Stewart's new team and let us hope they will be competitive from the word go. First appearance is schedule for march 1997, I for one cannot wait.