December 1996

20 December 199 The FIA officially denied that the Italian GPs will be boycotted next season.

19 December 1996 Japanese driver Ukyo Katayama has signed for the Minardi team for 1997.

17 December 1996 After Briatore's threat to boycott the Italian GPs, Ken Tyrrel too said that it might be impossible for him to take part in the Italian GP after the charges brought against the Williams team.

17 December 1996 Nigel Mansell is not going back to F1. He said that his busy schedule would not allow him to give the Jordan team the time required to compete.

16 December 1996 The trial for Senna's death is to go along. Charges of manslaughter have been brought against Frank Williams, Patrik Head (Williams' technical director), Adrian Newey (Williams' chief designer), Federico Bendinelli (Imola race track director), Giorgio Poggi (Imola track official) and Roland Bruynseraede (race director). All people involved deny the charges. Williams' lawyer (Roberto Causo) said that the first hearing will take place in Imola on 20 february 1997.

10 December 1996 The new Stewart car, the first car to be completely designed on computers, has been presented. It is white with tartan bits.

7 December 1996 According to BBC Teletext, Flavio Briatore said that if charges are brought against Williams for Senna's death, Benetton will be boycotting the Italian and San Marino GPs.

6 December 1996 From 1998 only grooved tyres will be allowed, front tyres will have to have three groves and rear tyres four. Carbon brakes will also be banned so that drivers will have to brake earlier at corners. Both these measures are aimed at slowing down the cars, improving safety and the chance to overtake. The overall width of cars will also be reduced from 200cm to 180cm

6 December 1996 The FIA release the new 1997 schedule.

3 December 1996 Japanese driver Shinji Nakano has been signed by Ligier for 1 year.

3 December 1996 Lola managed to register with FIA for the 1997 season at the very last minute, after it seemed it would miss next year's season.

2 December 1996 Nicola Larini will be racing for Sauber in 1997, as part of the Ferrari-Sauber deal.

2 December 1996 Forti will not rejoin F1 in the 1997 season and Lola will delay its entry to 1988. The teams which will compete in 1997 are: Arrows, Benetton, Ferrari, McLaren, Ligier, Tyrrell, Sauber, Minardi, Jordan and Stewart.

Last updated on 25 April 1997 by Federica Massagrande