PACIFIC-FORD'S ELIMINATED EARLY
Both Andrea Montermini and Giovanni Lavaggi suffered early retirements from today's Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Andrea's car suffering serious damage as the result of a four-car incident on the second lap and Giovanni spinning off at the first chicane on lap 6 of the re-started race.
With Andrea having set an encouraging 19th fastest time in this morning's warm-up, and both drivers looking forward to their home race, the Pacific-Fords lined up 21st and 24th for the start. Andrea made a good start and was in the process of passing Pedro Lamy's Minardi on the second lap when he arrived at the last chicane. He found the track blocked by four cars, and was unavailable to avoid a collision with Max Papis's Arrows.
Although the race was stopped, Andrea's car had suffered damage to the left front and left rear suspension, rear wing, sidepod and monocoque, so the team was unable to repair the car in time for the restart.
Giovanni restarted well, holding 17th place at the end of the first lap, but after 6 laps he was forced to brake hard at the first chicane and spun off the track.
ANDREA MONTERMINI (I) : Did not start - accident damage
"I made a good start and the car was fine. I was just overtaking Lamy on lap 2 when I came up to the last chicane and saw four cars across the track! The circuit was covered in dust and stones, so when I braked the car spun around, hit Papis's car and went into the barriers. There was nothing I could do, and I am very disappointed because there was too much damage for the car to be repaired. We have had such a good weekend, with the car much more competitive and the team feeling really positive, so I had been looking for a really good result!"
GIOVANNI LAVAGGI (I) : Retired - spin, lap 6
"I was going well at the start, overtaking Diniz and Inoue, but then I dropped back behind Boullion. He braked earlier than I expected for the first chicane, and I had to brake really hard. The car went into a spin, over the kerb and backed into the gravel. It's a big disappointment for me here in Monza."
Italian Grand Prix
Race Report, 10 September 1995