Formula One Features — March 1992

Andrea de Cesaris has been in Formula 1 for 12 years and despite the fact that he is still trying to win his first race he retains an enthusiasm for the job. He still wants to win but nowadays he is a realist about his chances.

Bernie Ecclestone is the man who runs Formula 1. Grand Prix racing has made him very rich - and he has made the people in F1 rich. Today he controls a worldwide sport, with billions of television viewers - and billions of dollars.

One wonders what Guy Ligier would have made when the two Ligier of Thierry Boutsen and Erik Comas collided on lap 37 of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Whatever the case, the team was a lot more competitive - and Erik marked himself out as a star of the future.

Frank Williams has every reason to be delighted with the result of the South African Grand Prix. It could scarcely have been a better weekend, nor a better start to a World Championship. The Canon Williams-Renault team was dominant in South Africa. Nigel Mansell was the fastest in every session - timed or free - and the Englishman led the race from lights to flag, set the fastest lap and was followed all the way by team mate Riccardo Patrese.

Being a woman racing driver in Formula 1 racing means that you are the centre of attention. You have to perform or else you are quickly written off. Giovanna Amati has been struggling to show the F1 circus that she has what it takes.

Before the South African Grand Prix Karl Wendlinger's racing mileage in F1 amounted to less than 16 laps. Over the winter he did 10 more. And yet at Kyalami he was seventh on the grid in his March-Ilmor. F1 was impressed.

Ken Tyrrell is a pensioner but he is still hard at work in F1 circles. The team recently announced another first for the Ockham organisation - its first exclusive factory engine deal. The deal is with Yamaha Motor.