From: koopman@fys.ruu.nl (Rob Koopman)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport
Subject: F1: Autosprint 45
Summary: news from Autosprint, printed before GP AUS
Keywords: pre-AUS, imola tests
Date: 16 Nov 92 21:06:35 GMT
Organization: Physics Department, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

This issue was printed in the week before the Australian GP, I'll skip
the old 'news'.

Goodyear tests at Imola:
Williams(Prost),Ferrari(Larini),Benetton(Schumacher) present. 

Prost was too short to see the curbs from his FW15 cockpit. FW15 active 
system is much more compact than its predecessor. The pushrods no longer act
directly on the actuators. In stead, there are two very small rockers
that that operate the floating ends of the actuators that are now in
diagonal position. All other hydraulic equipment is hidden inside the
monocoque, the mechanics no longer have to cover the suspension 'niche'
to hide its secrets. The radiators had to be modified to fit the Jordan-
like side pods. Whereas the FW14B bottomed out when the engine was cut,
the FW15 'tops' out, i.e. the car lowers itself when the engine is
started. Obviously this should increase safety in case of engine
failure. Williams is also working on an electronic throttle [the
smoothness of the McLaren gearchanges is very distinctive even on TV, it
sounds just as if De Angelis is driving them both]. Williams used OZ
wheels for this test in stead of the usual Fondmetals.

Ferrari participated in order to have some influence on the development of the
Goodyears, they did not bring their active car, but did test Brembo's
four-piston, four-pad [!!?? why 4 separate pads?? hello there Kap, could
you..?] calipers. Larini did no less than 127 laps (3 days, one of which
was wet) cf Prost 110, Schumacher 30.

Benetton: slightly modified Front Wing End-Plates when compared with
Estoril tests. Ride heigth adjustable shocks at the front. First
official track appearance of Dernie. Joan Villadelprat rescued from
Ferrari [Barnard] claws. Schumacher was flown in to make sure that GdY
keeps Benetton's wishes in mind when it develops the '93 tyres.

Ferrari AUS GP preparations: Alesi's bitterness after JAP (normal engine
with '93 Agip fuel) caused Montezemolo to send Monza-type qualifying
engines to AUS. Alesi's JAP engine fired up at the first attempt. Engine
telemetry data taken during race show no sign of engine break down.
Next development stage of Act Susp should be ready before end of Nov.
Barnard visited Maranello for 3 days, made trip to Mugello race track
and judged it good enough to continue testing there.   

Other news: Scuderia italia in '93 almost certainly with Alboreto and
Badoer. 
Larousse and another murderer [after Calmels] Klaus Waltz aka Rainer
Walldorf (Comstock). This story was reported by other mags after the AUS
GP.
Honda president Nobuhiko Kawamoto says that IF Honda returns, Senna will
not be their man, since he made too many negative comments on Honda
engines in recent months.
Khadly Zouiten, president of the A.C. de Tunesie, proposes F1 GP in
Bizerte [.....]
Aristidis Tsiplakos, greek finance[!] minister, proposes construction of
circuit near Orcomenos, 90km from Athens. Projected total cost: US$ 15
million. Greek government has donated 1300 acres of land.

Rob