Juan Manuel Fangio won the Swiss Grand Prix for Mercedes-Benz at Bermgarten in Berne. Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn and Frolian Gonzalez mounted an early challenge but Fangio soon took control, winning by nearly a minute having lapped every car except Gonzalez in second. The victory was Fangio's fifth of a dominant season and he went on to win his second title with two races to spare. The race was the last grand prix held in Switzerland before motor racing was banned after the 1955 Le Mans disaster in which 80 spectators were killed.
2001
Jordan announced that Benetton's Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella would trade places with compatriot Jarno Trulli and join the team in 2002 on a three-year contract. "Planning for the long-term future is vital and stability and continuity are key to success," said team boss Eddie Jordan in the statement. "I am overjoyed that Giancarlo has signed a three-year contract with us, as this gives Jordan and Honda a strong platform to build on." Mika Hakkinen's manager, Keke Rosberg, also announced that the Finn would stay on at McLaren in 2002.
2002
Ford vice president Richard Parry-Jones announced that the struggling Jaguar Racing team was not for sale. "Ford Motor Company management is not in negotiations and is not planning on the sale of Jaguar Racing," said Parry-Jones, responsible for Ford's Formula One commitments. The team was eventually sold to Red Bull in 2004.
