Race Aces Dent Pride And Williams.
World champions Tommi Makinen and Michael Doohan emerged unscathed from a
bruising introduction to Formula One last week, when both managed to crash
a Williams FW19.
The test - arranged by mutual sponsor Winfield - saw the two champions
drive the Williams at Barcelona, but both managed to spin the car during
the time behind the wheel. Doohan took just four corners to lose control,
but Makinen lasted longer before suffering a 175mph impact after missing a
gearchange.
World champions Tommi Makinen and Michael Doohan emerged unscathed from a
bruising introduction to Formula One last week, when both managed to crash
a Williams FW19.
The test - arranged by mutual sponsor Winfield - saw the two champions
drive the Williams at Barcelona, but both managed to spin the car during
the time behind the wheel. Doohan took just four corners to lose control,
but Makinen lasted longer before suffering a 175mph impact after missing a
gearchange.
Rally star Makinen compared the ride to a (moon rocket), whilst Doohan was
critical of his own performance as he struggled to get used to the braking
potential of a modern F1 car. (I drove more like I was going down to the
shops to pick up a paper,) said the multiple motorcycle world champion,
(but it still gave me a feeling of what a Formula One car is like. It was
an awesome experience.)
Plans for Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve to sample Makinen's regular
Mitsubishi WRC car were shelved on safety grounds.
