GACHOT PRODUCES GOOD FINISH FOR PACIFIC
Bertrand Gachot secured a solid 12th place finish in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, starting from 21st position on the grid and making steady progress during the 61 lap event. This was Bertrand's first finish of the season, and both he and the team were delighted that the improvement in reliability is continuing. This was the team's second consecutive finish, coming only two weeks after Andrea Montermini finished the French Grand Prix.
This time Andrea was less fortunate, his car spinning off the track on lap 22. He had started from 24th position on the grid after missing Friday's qualifying session due to a serious brake defect, while Saturday's final qualifying session was ruined by rain. Andrea and Bertrand were 16th and 17th fastest in Saturday morning's untimed practice session, while Sunday morning's warm-up session gave the drivers confidence that their cars would perform well int the race.
Andrea started the race well, overtaking the two Forti-Fords on the first two laps, and then staying behind Bertrand until making a pit stop on lap 18. Bertrand made his first pit stop two laps later, but soon afterwards Andrea spun off the track and into retirement.
"I am very disappointed because the car was going very well and I had a feeling that I could have a good result here," said Andrea. "Unfortunately I had a little problem when I braked for one of the corners, and the car spun off the track."
Bertrand continued to make progress, and after making his second pit stop on lap 40 he moved up to 12th position following the collision between race leader Michael Schumacher and arch rival Damon Hill. The entire Pacific team was delighted that Bertrand was able to finish the race, and he was very satisfied with the result.
"The car went better as the weekend progresses, and although I had a brake bias problem in the race I was able to control it and I just concentrated on finishing," said Bertrand. "It is a good feeling to finish, we have been trying very hard for many races, and I feel quite happy about it. I hope that we can maintain this level of reliability and begin develop the car even more, and we must look forward to the second half of the season."
The Pacific team is now going to prepare for the next event, the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim in two week's time, on July 28-30.
1995 British Grand Prix
Silverstone, July 16
Race Report