France 1997:
with Murray Walker.
F1 Racing August 1997.

For years we've been listening to Ferrari saying "this year is for building - next year is when we'll be really competitive",
only for them to fail. But France showed that they've cracked it - not just beacuse of Schumacher's brilliant victory but because Eddie Irvine was up there on the podium, too. I'm more than happy to eat humble pie as someone who confidently predicted Villeneuve for the driver's title and Williams for constructors honours.

France was the first race of this year where both Williams drivers were in the points. But a distant second for Frentzen and an even more distant fourth for an almost lapped Villeneuve won't be much consolation for Frank Williams and Patrick Head, used as they are to both top two places. Am I pleased? No, I'm delighted. I'm British and I want a British team to win - but not every race. Every team tries hard and they all deserve success, but Ferrari's patient efforts to find the winning combination especially deserve the reward they are now getting. No team have the charisma of Maranello's Prancing Horse and I, in concert with millions of fans worldwide, salute them. Well done Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne, Jean Todt, Michael and Eddie (and John Barnard).

Everything comes to he who waits and now we can savour the Williams fightback. It's a long way from being over in the championships. Ten races still to go and everything to fight for!

-End of Article--

_______________________________________________________________________________________________