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                              1995 Formula News
                          ***  January 23rd 1996 ***
                          ***  Issue Number 10 ***
                               7 Weeks To Go
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           In This Issue

           *Hakkinen Given All Clear To Test
           *Sauber C15 Ready
           *New Cars Launched
           *F1 Customer Teams Under Review
           *Katayama Signs For Tyrrell
           *Lamy Signs For Minardi
           *Lola To Return ?




Hakkinen Given All Clear To Test

Mika Hakkinen has been given the all clear by Sid Watkins to restart
testing. Mika will need to get back to peak fitness before he can begin
testing and it is not clear whether he has enough time to get fit and get
enough testing under his belt before the Australian GP in Melbourne. If
Mika is not ready in time his place will be taken by test driver Jan
Magnussen.



Sauber C15 Ready

The Sauber team have been testing their new C15 at the circuit Paul Ricard.
Some engine problems meant that they could not complete their testing
schedule as planned, but Frentzen's times were slightly quicker in the new
car 1.08.4 compared to his previous times in the C14 1.08.8. Johnny Herbert
only managed one lap before having to retire with engine problems. The
weather deteriorated and the team packed up.




New Cars Launched

Many of next seasons cars will be launched in the coming 10 days. The new
Ligier JS43 is expected to debut on Monday. Tyrrell should have the 024 out
on Tuesday and Benetton's B196 is due on February 5. Forti will not have
their FG02 ready in time and so they will start the season with a heavily
modified FG01 fitted with a new Ford V8.




F1 Customer Teams Under Review

It is possible that customer teams may be allowed back into F1. At the
moment FIA rules stipulate that teams must make their own chassis, or have
it made by a company that is not racing in F1. The changing of the rule
would allow the likes of Williams, McLaren, Benetton, Ferrari and others to
sell ready made chassis to smaller teams. Off the shelf engines can be
fitted and the car raced.
Flavio Briatore commented that with a small team buying the chassis and
engine made good sense. "Why employ 90 people, when if you buy a chassis
you will get a better car and be able to do the job with only 25 people"
Arrows Boss Jackie Oliver believes the move would polarize the grid, with
the top teams getting richer from chassis sales, and the small teams
getting smaller.



Katayama Re-Signs For Tyrrell

Despite rumours that Taki Inoue would sign for Tyrrell in the wake of their
Nokia sponsorship loss, the team have decided to stick with Ukyo Katayama
for a second season.




Lamy Signs For Minardi

Pedro Lamy has signed for the Minardi team. Pedro took over from Martini in
the team and raced in the second half of the season (From Hungary -
Australia). His team mate will be named soon, favourite is last years
driver Luca Badoer.



Lola To Return ?

It is possible that Lola may be returning to F1 in 1997.Lola are expected
to make an announcement shortly.
Keith Wiggins (Pacific) has been linked with the Lola team and is rumoured
to have been recruited to head the teams return.


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This document is most definitely copyright 1996 Formula 1 News. This
publication is free for the Internet community and may be freely
distributed to news groups and forums provided it is reposted completely,
in a wholly unedited form and credited to Neil Whiley.
None of these articles are guaranteed 100% true, accurate or correct. We
report it as we hear it. In many cases one weeks story will be completely
contradicted by next weeks, such is life :-)
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Formula 1 News is edited by Neil Whiley. (Neil@bigvern.demon.co.uk).
Check out the Web Site at: http://www.u-net.com/enigma/formula1
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