QUALIFYING AND RACE REPORT

Things appear to be getting closer at the top, with the first five on the grid seperated by only 1 second. Coulthard, on a track where he traditionally does well appeared to be on for the top spot, but was just beaten by Hakkinen. Shumacher put in a spirited performance to drag his Ferrari up to third and only .101 behind pole. Irvine popped in to fourth and phenominal performance by Jacque Villenueve saw him put the underpowered BAR Supertec in to fifth. Barrichello rounded out the top six, proving again that the new Stewart is quality car.

The start was pretty clean except for Villeneuve having a gear selection problem on the line and having all his good work in qualifying amount to nothing.The Finn started to hare off in to the distance, and I think many we're wondering what sort of fuel strategy he was on to be pulling away from Coulthard in second and Shumacher M in third so rapidly.

Further down the field there was plenty of action as Mika Salo, standing in for the injured Zonta in the BAR, started to move convincingly through the pack. All the more amazing as he only had 5 minutes in which to qualify after his race car had a hyrdaulic problem on Saturday.

Shortly in to the race Mika Hakkinen proved that maybe he shouldn't believe the hype that he never makes mistakes, when he put his McLaren in to the wall at the final corner. Hearing the Ferrari bias crowd cheer was one of the nicest moments of the day. Mika admitted that it was his own fault, hopefully this will bring the bastard downa  peg or two.

The rest of the positions swung back and forth depending on how the pit stops went. Ferrari pulled another blinder and managed to out think McLaren, and gain Shumacher the lead, which he grimly held on to until the end, when he crossed the line over 4 seconds ahead of Coulthard.

Barrichello came under little pressure until the end and took a pretty easy fourth. Damon got his first points of the year with a solid, if uneventful drive. With Fisichell putting the rather crap Bernetton into fifth and Alesi brining in the Sauber for sixth. Half the field finished - by todays standards this isn't too bad.

BRIT BOYS ROUND UP

David Couthard:
Still having his head held under by Hakkinen, at least Coulthard was a bit closer this time in qualifying. Blown away in the race until Hakkinen crashed. he only has his team and his lack of traffic ability to blame for losing the win.

Eddie Irvine
Looked pretty good, although a lot slower than the leaders. Retired from a strong third when his engine let go.

Damon Hill:
Slighty better qualifying saw him very evenly matched with his Jordan team mate. The race proved better and with a little more speed in the pit stops and through the traffic, he may have taken third.

Johnny Herbert:
Again bad luck hit Johnny, a good drive saw him racing in the top six and he looked easily on for a fourth. Unfortunately with only 2 laps to go his engine blew.