I’ve been working on the Monaco Grand Prix chapter of my Senna versus Schumacher story for about a week and a half, now. I have to say, it’s not easy to combine writing with my day job, caring for our baby boy Nathan, household chores, and giving the missus some attention, too.

Well, you probably read the above before, and the ‘Monaco’ part probably gave it away. But the statement still stands, as I’ve only completed the practice and qualifying sessions for the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix. Here’s an excerpt:

The Benetton-Ford [attacked] the governing body over their [rule] changes. Managing Director, Flavio Briatore, believed that chances of an accident occurring had in fact increased under the new rules. The flamboyant Italian made his remarks in an open letter to FIA President Max Mosley, stating that initial tests showed that the changes “will decrease car safety in the future”. The team, however, risked being banned from the Spanish Grand Prix, because Briatore had also said he was not happy that his cars had not properly tested after having been modified to the new safety standards, and that he could not guarantee the safety of the Benetton-Ford cars. The FIA promptly kicked the team out of the race, with officials saying Benetton could not race unless they confirmed their cars had undergone testing.