FEBRUARY 22, 1999

Johnny has a big one

JOHNNY HERBERT emerged unhurt from a big crash on Saturday in Barcelona. The Stewart-Ford driver was at top speed on the start-finish straight at the Circuit de Catalunya when his SF3 chassis went out of control - almost certainly because of a mechanical failure. The car smashed into the pitwall at an estimated 185mph. Fortunately it was a glancing blow. "I don't remember a lot about it," Herbert reported. "All I know is that the car went left at very high speed. To have an accident of that kind at that speed and walk away is testament to the design of the modern F1 car. All I got was a slight bump on the knee."

The crash could be a major setback for the team as it may mean that the team will have only two chassis in Australia if the monocoque cannot be repaired. The team is optimistic that its engine problems are now over and the testing times on the final day at Barcelona suggest that the Stewart should be a lot more competitive this year than it was last season.