The adventure of the Scottish team led by Paul Stewart, son of three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart, continued in 1999 with the categorical imperative of reviving the team's fortunes after a brilliant debut in 1997 followed by a disappointing 1998 season. All the hard work Jackie Stewart had put in over the previous years to build a strong team, recruiting skilled and highly experienced technicians, seemed to have vanished into thin air. Meanwhile, the Ford Motor Company, after making significant investments and signing a five-year agreement with the Scottish team to mark a grand return to Formula 1, demanded a radical change of course. In fact, before the end of the 1999 season, Ford would complete the acquisition of the Stewart team, committing to take over directly from the 2000 Championship onwards, with the team to be renamed Jaguar Racing.
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| STEWART SF3, Johnny Herbert Nürburgring, European GP 1999 |
For this reason, Stewart Grand Prix underwent a major internal reshuffle, appointing Paul Stewart as Vice President and David Ring as Chief Executive Officer, though midway through the season, after Ring's departure, Stewart himself assumed the CEO role. A new Technical Director, Northern Irishman Gary Anderson, was brought in from Jordan, along with aerodynamic engineer Darren Davis, both of whom had contributed to the development of the Irish team's recent cars. The design of the new Stewart SF3 was once again entrusted to Chief Designer Dave Amey, supported by Simon Smart, an American engineer experienced in IndyCar Series vehicles. Iranian aerodynamic engineer Eghbal Hamidy also played a role in designing the new SF3, despite leaving for Arrows before the car’s final build. The SF3 was unveiled to the public on January 7 at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham and was subsequently tested at Silverstone by Jos Verstappen, as well as two young Brazilian drivers, Luciano Burti (later chosen as the team's third driver in place of Verstappen) and Mario Haberfeld, both of whom competed in Stewart's Formula 3 team.
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| STEWART SF3, Rubens Barrichello Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1999 |
The official seats were taken by returning Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello, a Stewart driver since the team’s debut, and British driver Johnny Herbert, arriving from Sauber. Although the new car was essentially a refined version of the previous SF2, Gary Anderson managed to partly solve the chronic reliability and performance issues that had plagued Stewart’s earlier Formula 1 cars, based in Milton Keynes, UK. The SF3 featured a slightly more sloping and narrower nose, a completely redesigned front wing, and new flow deflectors positioned ahead of the side pods. These side pods themselves were reshaped into a more squared-off form, while the engine cover and rear area retained the sleek, clean lines seen on the SF02. Detailed modifications were also made to the underbody with a new diffuser ramp, raised exhausts, and several small winglets mounted on the front wing and ahead of the rear wheels. The suspension remained push-rod configured but underwent slight geometry changes to better exploit the Bridgestone tires.
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| STEWART SF3, Rubens Barrichello Spa-Francorchamps, Belgian GP 1999 |
The most significant innovation of the SF3 lay under the engine cover: Ford, strengthening its commitment to returning to the forefront of Formula 1, installed the new V10 CR-1 engine, considerably smaller and more technologically advanced than its predecessor. This power unit delivered 770 hp at 16,500 rpm, thanks in part to a completely redesigned cooling system and optimized weight distribution, greatly improving the car's handling. The 1999 livery was once again white, with a Tartan stripe, traditional to Scottish clans, running along both sides of the cockpit. HSBC remained the main sponsor, with the Ford logo enlarged to cover the entire side of the engine cover. Despite the car's potential, the season started poorly, with both cars forced to retire on the formation lap of the opening Australian Grand Prix due to an oil leak. Barrichello alone managed to start the race, using the spare car, and finished fifth. In Brazil, the Brazilian driver even led the race for a few laps before retiring due to engine failure. The first podium of the season came in the third race at Imola, once again thanks to Barrichello. Another notable result followed in France, where Barrichello claimed third place again. But it was late in the season that the SF3 truly showcased its capabilities, with a victory for Herbert and a third place for Barrichello in the European Grand Prix, held at the revamped Nürburgring circuit.
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| STEWART SF03, Rubens Barrichello Hungaroring, Hungarian GP 1999 |
After Malaysian GP, where two more points finishes secured fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship for Stewart, the season concluded in Japan. This marked the team’s final Grand Prix, bidding farewell to Barrichello as he prepared to join Ferrari alongside Schumacher, forming one of the most successful pairings in Formula 1 history. The 1999 season proved to be a fairly successful campaign for HSBC Stewart Ford, only its third year in Formula 1, earning fourth place in the Constructors’ standings with 36 points, and more importantly, achieving the first and only win in its short history, along with three podium finishes. In December 1999, after the season had ended, Northern Irishman Eddie Irvine also tested the SF3 at Jerez before officially joining the team in January 2000.
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