New HANS but no new powersteering

Published on 03 April 2003 by Huub Rothengatter

In preparation for the Brasilian Grand Prix on the Interlagos circuit Jos made his usual 'walking lap'. Thirty degrees Celsius, which doesn't affect Jos after Malaysia. This particular circuit near to Sao Paulo is not very popular with the drivers. It goes anti-clockwise, the track is very dusty because not a lot of races are orginised there on top of that the circuit it very bumpy which makes it very difficult for a team to find a good setup.

Nevertheless the organisator of the Brasilian Grand Prix is doing its best to polish its image, Jos did notice some changes. "The track is not completely smooth but I can see they have been trying to even it out. There are various patches of new tarmac, the run-off areas have been worked on, adjustments have been made to the paddock and some extra hospitality facilities have been created. If the track has been improved by those new patches I can't tell yet. I will have to take a drive tomorrow before I can give an opinion on that."

Jos is staying in the Trans American hotel, about 20 minutes from the circuit. He doesn't have any problems concerning the robbers and such who are very active during a Grand Prix weekend. "I haven't noticed anything. I have to say that the security in our hotel is excellent. I am not worried."

It was expected that Jos and Justin would have a new powersteering installed in their PS03's. "No, we don't have them yet. Not to worry though, using the same powersteering we had in Malaysia isn't a problem." What they do have is a new modified HANS system, which will be a relief for Justin. Jos has tried the new one at the Minardi factory in Italy and it felt that good it will be used during this weekend. David Coulthard has tested it already. The main difference is in the seat belt system. The new modified system has two seat belts which consists our of 2 seperate belts. One will go over the HANS system and the other one is similar to the normal seat belt construction that goes over the race suit. Both belts meet each other somewhere halfway and are connected into another. It should give the drivers, who had problems with the older version, more comfort.