PACIFIC SLIPS BACK DESPITE IMPROVEMENTS
Andrea Montermini and Bertrand Gachot will start tomorrow's French Grand Prix from the 11th row of the grid, both drivers disappointed to have slipped down the grid in spite of improving their lap times quite significantly.
Although the Pacific-Fords enjoyed a mainly trouble free day, the drivers and engineers worked through a series of set-up changes in an effort to solve the balance problems which have afflicted both cars. Andrea and Bertrand improved upon their Friday qualifying times in this morning's second practice session, and in final qualifying they were able to lap in the mid-1m23s bracket - but it was not enough to stop them moving back one row on the grid.
ANDREA MONTERMINI (I) - 21st, 1m23.466s :
"The car has definitely improved today, but it is still understeering quite a lot in the fast corner after the pits. I am losing about half a second because of the understeer, so the car is capable of lapping in the 1m22s if we can find a solution to the balance problem. It's frustrating, but we are working very hard to close the gap on the guys in front."
BERTRAND GACHOT (F) - 22nd, 1m23.647s :
"The car went better and better today, but we still don't have the perfect balance. I could have gone quicker on my final run, but the lap just didn't work out. Obviously we are a little disappointed to drop back from where we were yesterday, but it will be a hard race in these conditions and so we must concentrate on trying to make sure that the car is as reliable as possible."
Paul Belmondo was present in the team garage throughout qualifying, maintaining his close links with the team. The French Grand Prix is particularly important for the team, for in addition to it being Bertrand Gachot's home Grand Prix it is also a key event for team sponsor IGOL - France's leading independent oil company. The management of IGOL, along with 100 guests, will be celebrating their second season of sponsorship of Pacific at a VIP dinner this evening.
1995 French Grand Prix
Final Qualifying, July 01