AUGUST 5, 1996

Testing - here, there and everywhere

AFTER the German Grand Prix the F1 teams headed off in different directions in preparation for the Hungarian GP this weekend.

AFTER the German Grand Prix the F1 teams headed off in different directions in preparation for the Hungarian GP this weekend.

The Williams test team spent three days at Nogaro, in south-west France, with Jean-Christophe Boullion and JacquesÊVilleneuve both in action in very hot temperatures. The pair completed 270 laps of the track.

Ferrari team leader Michael Schumacher went off for a few days of rest but was back in his F310 on Friday. Ferrari will continue testing for three days this week at Monza before the drivers fly out to Budapest.

McLaren and Benetton did not test, but should both be in action this week at Silverstone. Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi are due to run early in the week for Benetton before handing over to test driver Vincenzo Sospiri, while McLaren is expected to run Alain Prost and Ralf Schumacher.

Jordan turned up at Lurcy-Levis for three days with Fabrizio de Simone doing aerodynamic testing. The team will be in action again this week at Silverstone with Brundle swapping cars with World Rally Champion Colin McRae on Monday, and with Rubens Barrichello doing development work on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ligier was at Magny-Cours, while Sauber spent two days at Mugello. Usually a reliable place for good weather in July, the track near Florence, Italy, was inundated with rain on the first day of the test. Despite this, Heinz-Harald completed a total of 93 laps.

The TWR team is expected to be at Silverstone this week with Jos Verstappen and Kenny Brack, while Tarso Marques is expected to begin work for Bridgestone at Suzuka, Japan, driving a TWR/Arrows-run 1995 Ligier-Mugen.

Tyrrell did not test last week, but will shake down the cars at the Santa Pod drag strip this week, while Minardi was in action at Misano with Giovanni Lavaggi trying to find a better seating position.