 Unlike some of the existing teams , Forti was able to test its chassis extensively prior to the start of the season . However , Diniz proved to be around seven seconds per lap off the pace of the leading runners in group testing at the Estoril circuit in March , indicating that the team was likely to be mired at the back of the field . Diniz finished 10th in the season @-@ opening Brazilian GP , but was seven laps down on winner Michael Schumacher . In Argentina , this situation became worse , as , although both drivers finished , they were both nine laps down on winner Damon Hill at the end of the race ( with Diniz ahead ) and neither were classified , as they had failed to complete 90 % of the race distance . The drivers ' similar fastest laps during the race were over ten seconds slower than Schumacher 's fastest race lap , and almost five seconds slower than the next slowest runner 's fastest lap ( Domenico Schiattarella in the Simtek ) . Imola was similarly poor , as both drivers finished seven laps down ( with Diniz again ahead ) and again failed to reach the 90 % threshold for classification . Forti was already the butt of paddock jokes , and were far slower than the other ( and financially poorer ) backmarkers : Pacific , Simtek , and Minardi . However , the budget enabled improvements to be made to the car . During the season , its weight was reduced by a significant 60 kilograms ( approximately 10 % of the F1 minimum weight limit of 595 kg ) , and a semi @-@ automatic gearbox , an airbox and redesigns of the front wing , sidepods and monocoque were introduced . The personnel count also doubled during the course of the season . This resulted in a gradual improvement in pace throughout the year , and there were no more non @-@ classified finishes . 
