GRAND PRIX  ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
             CIRCUIT  MONZA
                DATE  SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 1994
      JOHNNY HERBERT  DNF
  ALESSANDRO ZANARDI  DNF

Friday 9 September - First Practice & Qualifying

Johnny Herbert: 6th - 1:26.365

"For qualifying the car didn't feel as easy as it did this morning. On the first two runs we took some wing off and it was better, so for the final run we tried to do something about the understeer. We did get the front end to bite better, but that made the rear twitchier. The overall package that we have now works quite well. The new engine works very well. It's been reliable and it pulls nice and strong."

Alessandro Zanardi: 17th - 1:27.617

"That is the limit of the car without the new engine! I think that we will be able to make some changes to the set-up which should see us go quicker tomorrow, and I hope that if I can't improve my position, at least I won't lose it!"

Peter Collins:

"We are very encouraged by our first day at Monza, and pleased with the improved behaviour of the 109 and the performance of the new Mugen-Honda engine. This endorses and vindicates the views we have expressed earlier in the season, and the 109 is now performing closer to its design objectives. Our efforts tomorrow will concentrate on fine tuning its balance."

Saturday 10 September - Second Practice & Qualifying

Johnny Herbert: 4th - 1:24.374

"Well, it's a great feeling to have a car I can really do something with. This morning I had a bit of a problem with downchanges and didn't run new tyres, so this afternoon we incorporated a few little changes and it felt quite good. We'd got rid of the understeer I had yesterday, and I could push it hard and drive it properly. It responds well to changes, and the new brakes were very good too."

Alessandro Zanardi: 13th - 1:25.733

"Although this is my best performance of the year, I am not satisfied as I could have been. I had a problem with my brakes; on my fourth quick lap I was doing a miracle time with the car - it would have been a fantastic lap! I survived until Ascari, where I was two tenths faster than ever, but then the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and I ran wide. I feel that I drove that last lap fantastically well."

Peter Collins:

"It's a very satisfying feeling to see the 109 beginning to realise its full potential, and I thought Johnny did a terrific job with it. At the same time Alex deserves full credit for his excellent performance with the old specification car. We are now looking forward to a reliable and competitive race."

Sunday 11 September - The Race

Johnny Herbert:

"Irvine has done far too much damage this year and should be properly penalized. Formula One doesn't need drivers like this. I was going okay in the 109 with the older specification engine. I think my alternator broke and I had to retire."

Alessandro Zanardi:

"Somebody hit me from behind cutting my rear tyres which caused the tyre to explode. I unavoidably lost control and I made contact with Morbidelli. That was it. Race over."

Peter Collins:

"Irvine's three race suspension at the beginning of the year was far too short. His brain has obviously been removed and it is about time that his license is too. This is motor-racing and although it is totally disappointing for everybody that has worked so hard at Mugen-Honda and Team Lotus, I know that there is a great deal more in store and we are looking forward to the remaining races."


Team Lotus