QUALIFYING AND RACE REPORT

It looked all set to be a great show down between Michael Shumacher and Mika Hakkinen again. Shumacher had been exceptionally quick through the practise sessions, topping each of them, while the McLarens looked far from balanced and poised.

The qualifying was interesting, Shumacher went out and set the pace, which he improved on with almost every run. In contrast the McLarens were no where, languishing (for them) in sixth and seventh. However the McLarens pulled themselves up with a mighty effort in the closing seconds, Hakinen snatching pole and Coulthard putting himself on fourth.

Lower down the field the Stewart of Barrichello once again shined, as did the Jordan of Frentzen and the Prost of Trulli. Other than that it was pretty much business as usual.

With Shumacher on second it was important that Hakinen got a great start. - He did, but Shumacher got a better one, and by the the first corner Shumcher had squeezed ahead. Suprisingly Irvine had done the same trick on Coulthard. Shumacher streaked away, manoeuvring himself in to an unassailable lead.

Hakinen looked to have second in the bag, but a mistake from him late in the race, and a brave pit stop strategy by Ferrari saw Irvine leap frog up to second. Coulthards car was blowing out a lot of smoke at the old Loews hairpin (now the Grand Hotel corner), and he soon retired.

The rest of the field jostled for position. The rate attrition was high, and only eight cars finished.

BRIT BOYS ROUND UP

David Couthard:
Failed again to beat his team mate in qualifying. Moaned throughout the weekend of back markers preventing him a win in San Marino, and then exited the race due to mechanical failure, which was lucky for him as his team mate was again far superior.

Eddie Irvine
Proving that 1999 is looking to be his year, Irvine put in another fine performace. Qualifying only slightly down on Shumacher and then racing his wheels off to stay ahead of Hakkinen. Irvine looked very in control and able to counter and attacks from behind throughout the race.

Damon Hill:
Oh dear. After a nasty crash Hill didn't look too confident in the Jordan, whether it was lack of track time or that he was a bit shaken it's hard to say, probably a bit of both. Even so, others crashed as well and yet qualified a lot higher than Domons lowly seventeenth. A stupid move on Ralph Shumacher during the race saw him retire on lap 3.

Johnny Herbert:
A poor qualifying saw him lining up in the middle of the field. Made a few places during the race, mainly through retirements, until his rear suspension collapsed.