TECHNICAL PROBLEMS ROB PACIFIC OF FINISH
Both Pacific-Fords failed to finish today's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, technical problems eliminating both drivers from the event. Andrea Montermini's car suffered higher than expected fuel consumption, his car coming to a halt on lap 20 - the lap on which he was due to make his first pit stop. Team mate Giovanni Lavaggi continued until lap 31, his Pacific suffering a gearbox problem which forced him to stop at the side of the track.
The dry-wet conditions were widely predicted, and at the start of the 44 lap event the Pacific's held 21st and 24th places and began to make gradual progress. Giovanni made a pit stop on lap 19, changing slick tyres and taking on fuel, but one lap later he was back in the pits to have wet-weather tyres fitted. He later made a third pit stop for fuel only, but shortly after that he went missing.
Andrea's typically solid performance was ended by the fuel problem, and his retirement from the race was made more frustrating by the fact that his car had been performing extremely well.
ANDREA MONTERMINI (I) - Retired, out of fuel
"The car was very good in the race and I was able to do consistently good laps times. Unfortunately we had higher fuel consumption than expected and suddenly the fuel warning light came on and the car stopped. I am disappointed for me and for the team because in this race I think we could have got a very good result."
GIOVANNI LAVAGGI (I) - Retired, gearbox
"The car was not well balanced in the race, so it was difficult to drive because of this. The pit stops went well, and of course I was hoping to finish, but then I hit a gearbox problem and had to pull off the track. I am now looking forward to my home event in Italy, and I really hope we can have a good weekend and a good finish in Monza."
Belgian Grand Prix
Race Report, 27 August 1995